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UFC 318 commentary, broadcast teams set: Paul Felder in for absent Joe Rogan in NOLA

UFC 318 commentary, broadcast teams set: Paul Felder in for absent Joe Rogan in NOLA

USA Today12-07-2025
The eighth numbered UFC event of 2025 is just days away, with UFC 318 set to highlight the promotion's return to Louisiana after more than 10 years with Saturday's card at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there in "The Big Easy" 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 318 broadcast
UFC 318'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.
The preliminary-card lineup is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET and airs on ESPN following early prelims, which begin at 6:30 p.m. ET and stream on ESPN+.
UFC 318 roving reporter
Longtime UFC correspondent Heidi Androl will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 318 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.
UFC 318 weigh-in show
Dan Hellie will host the official UFC 318 weigh-in show on Friday at 10:50 a.m. ET/7:50 a.m. PT.
He'll be joined by UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Paul Felder, as well as former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
UFC 318 octagon announcer
The most famous octagon announcer in history will do his thing once again at UFC 318 as legendary Bruce Buffer will introduce the fighters before battle.
UFC 318 desk analysts
Retired light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, former UFC/WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, Alan Jouban and Teddy Atlas will serve as desk analysts on the UFC 318 post-fight show and throughout the card, when necessary.
Brendan Fitzgerald will serve as desk host.
UFC 318 cageside commentators
Jon Anik will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC 318.
He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier and retired lightweight contender Paul Felder, who steps in for the absent Joe Rogan on a U.S.-based PPV event.
Din Thomas will also contribute to the broadcast as a coach-analyst.
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