Kenny Florian Joins Jon Anik For UFC's Secondary Broadcast Team

Perennial UFC contender and former MMA Live co-host Kenny Florian has officially joined the UFC broadcast booth, according to reports form MMA Weekly.

Florian, a well-spoken analyst who now anchors Fuel TV's UFC Tonight, will take on color commentator duties alongside former ESPN cohort Jon Anik to form the UFC's secondary commentary team. The pairing will handle broadcast work for ancillary UFC events, including shows on Fox-owned Fuel TV, FX, and The Ultimate Fighter.

"Absolutely thrilled to be working with Kenny Florian," Anik tweeted. "Decent guy, tremendous analyst."

Florian and Anik previously worked together from 2010-2011 on ESPN's MMA Live and are scheduled to debut at Friday's UFC on FX 1 telecast. The fighter last appeared in the broadcast booth for UFC 134, replacing Joe Rogan due to a taping of Fear Factor.

News of the deal arrives just as Florian (14-6) eyes the twilight of his career. A nine-year veteran of the fight game, "K-Flo" recently revealed that a lingering back injury could force the 35-year-old into retirement earlier than expected.

"As of right now, obviously I can't compete and train like I was at all," he said to the Boston Herald. "I'm just kind of doing what I can and hoping that things heal up and get better. I'm just kind of in a holding pattern. That's why I decided to do this commentary for the time being and take this next six months to really heal up and try to make some money on the side."

UFC on FX 1 takes place on January 20, 2012 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Lightweight contenders Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller clash in the night's main event.