Mike Goldberg is a legend among hardcore Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans. He is a professional play-by-play commentator and has provided his service for major MMA promotions like UFC and Bellator. However, Mike shares his last name with one of the most famous WWE wrestlers of all time, Bill Goldberg. Are they related to each other? Let’s find out!
William Goldberg, more popularly known by his ring name Bill Goldberg, is a legendary pro wrestler. He rose to the height of popularity in the 90s for his impressive showing in WCW, which was later bought out by WWE. Goldberg had legendary bouts in the ring against the likes of The Undertaker and the former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar.
But long story short, there is no relationship between Mike Goldberg and Bill Goldberg. Although they share the same surname, they do not have any links that connect them by blood. But, Mike does have an interesting history with WWE and its former chairman Vince McMahon. Thanks to Vince, Mike almost ditched the UFC, which would have put the company in a lot of trouble.
Ex-WWE chairperson Vince McMahon wanted to poach Mike Goldberg
Mike Goldberg, alongside Joe Rogan, was as crucial for the UFC as the fighters themselves. His team-up with Joe was immensely entertaining for the fans and the pair became a draw itself. However, it all could have gone sideways in 2005. The former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen revealed a fascinating story of Vince McMahon crossing the UFC.
As per Sonnen, the former WWE chairperson did not want the UFC to put The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV just after Monday Night Raw. At the time Vince thought it could have a damaging effect on McMahon’s business.
Hence, Vince contacted UFC President Dana White and asked him to move the show from Mondays. However, once Dana revealed that it was the network’s decision, Vince did not take it kindly. He apparently wanted to put the UFC product in jeopardy.
“Vince McMahon contacts Mike Goldberg and he tells Mike Goldberg, ‘I will give you a hundred thousand dollars to no-call, no-show the UFC on Friday. So Goldberg doesn’t get to warn anybody. He just can’t show up and he can’t call in,” revealed Chael. (h/t via Sportskeeda)
Is Mike Goldberg still with the UFC?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has become a huge entity. Not only commercially, but UFC is also very much relevant in the pop culture zeitgeist. Although Joe Rogan is still a part of the UFC, Mike Goldberg was let go from the promotion in 2016. It paved way for the modern commentators like Jon Anik, who is considered perhaps the best UFC commentator of all time.
UFC 207 was Mike’s last appearance for the promotion. He was very upset about the circumstances of his exit from the promotion. Apparently, UFC president Dana White did not even reach out to Mike even after so many years of service for the promotion. Hence, he felt somewhat betrayed that the promotion did not offer him a new contract.
However, during an appearance on “The MMA Hour,” Goldberg spoke about how he saw Dana later and thanked him for providing him with all the opportunities. “I shook his hand and I said, ‘Thank you for everything.’ I said, ‘I hope we can stay in touch and I wish you nothing but the ultimate in success in everything that continues in the UFC, and always be thankful for it.’ So it was it was a great moment of, I guess, closure at a time.” (h/t via MMA Fighting)
After a long stint in the UFC, Mike Goldberg went to Bellator in 2017 and commentated for the promotion till 2021. Known for his catchphrase “It’s all over,” Mike Goldberg will surely go down as one of the notable voices in MMA.