Wow…Snoop Doggy Dogg has been hired by the UFC in one of the most unexpected moments of 2017…
After Mike Goldberg was punted from the commentary booth at the end of 2016, it became clear that no one UFC employee was safe. Having served with the promotion for 20 years, many believed Goldberg would avoid the new owner’s axe.
Sadly that was not the case, and ‘Goldie’ albeit a fan favorite was unceremoniously ejected. Since that time we’ve wondered who will step in to replace Goldberg, and so far nobody has filled his boots.
Although the UFC has brought Daniel Cormier, Dom Cruz, Dan Hardy and Jon Anik forward, inevitably they cannot fill the void left by Goldberg.
Snoop Doggy Dogg and Urijah Faber…a match made in heaven? Yeah…maybe not…
So They Fired Goldberg, But Hired Snoop?
Let’s make it clear, he won’t be commentating the fights in the octagon, per se, but Snoop is part of the broadcast team now. During Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, the famous rapper will offer play-by-play with Urijah Faber.
No, seriously…As per ESPN, UFC president Dana White and Snoop Dogg’s statements on the new deal:
“I’m a big fan of UFC and [am] looking forward to joining the team to bring my unique take on all the action,” Snoop Dogg said. “Y’all in for a brand-new experience with Dogg on the mic.”
Dana:
“Snoop and I have wanted to do something together for a long time. He’s a huge fight fan and wanted to call fights. This is a fun opportunity for fans to opt into SnoopCast and hear his take along with Urijah Faber on how the fights are going.”
According to a report on LowKickMMA, fans will be given the option to hear the commentary in ‘snoopcast.’ The series begins in July on Fight Pass:
“Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series,” which features five live fights from Las Vegas every Tuesday and airs on UFC Fight Pass starting July 11, will have commentary provided by superstar rapper Snoop Dogg.
The show, according to the report, will also have a normal commentary squad, but fight fans will be able to select a “SnoopCast” audio option to listen to a remix from Snoop Dogg and MMA legend Urijah Faber.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 22: Recording artist Snoop Dogg performs onstage at night one of the 2017 BET Experience STAPLES Center Concert, sponsored by Hulu, at Staples Center on June 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Strange
Another bizarre move by the UFC, who seem to have been heading in a generally strange direction lately. With pretty much everything up in the air right now, the hiring of an albeit huge rapper, with arguably no MMA knowledge (speculation*) is confusing to say the least.
Will he be a hit on the mic? Perhaps not as much as when Snoop is on stage performing. That said, it’s a clear attraction for his already huge fan base, and draws in more of that coveted casual viewership.
