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USA Today Sports Media Group
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UFC 291 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Chael Sonnen returns as analyst after 16 months

The ninth numbered UFC event of the year is rapidly approaching with UFC 291 on Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will be working as commentators and analysts for the show have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the plans – and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

* * * *

UFC 291 broadcast

Delta Center

UFC 291’s main card airs on pay-per-view/streams via ESPN+ pay-per-view for residents in the U.S. beginning at 10 p.m. ET.

Televised prelims on ABC and ESPN start at 8 p.m. ET following early prelims, which are slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET and stream on ESPN+.

UFC 291 roving reporter

Megan Olivi

Longtime UFC correspondent Megan Olivi will conduct pre- and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 291 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

UFC 291 octagon announcer

Bruce Buffer

The most famous octagon announcer in history will do his thing once again at UFC 291. The legendary Bruce Buffer will introduce the fighters before battle.

UFC 291 desk analysts

Anthony Smith

Longtime broadcaster Michael Eaves will host the UFC 291 post-fight show. He’ll be joined by three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith and noted MMA coach Din Thomas for post-fight analysis.

The assignment will mark Sonnen’s first appearance on UFC programming since UFC 272 in March 2022. He was accused of an alleged attack a few weeks later at a Las Vegas hotel and, after going through the legal process, reportedly reached a plea agreement earlier this month.

UFC 291 cageside commentators

Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier

Jon Anik will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside, and he will command play-by-play alongside color commentators Joe Rogan and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier.

Thomas will also join in throughout the event as an in-fight analyst.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.

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