Exclusive: Mike Goldberg Reflects on UFC’s Growth and Upcoming White House Event

Former UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg has shared his thoughts on the promotion’s mainstream growth and the upcoming White House event, outlining how far the organization has come since its early struggles.

In an exclusive interview, produced in collaboration with The Game Plan, Goldberg reflected on whether he ever imagined the UFC staging an event on the White House lawn, and the promotion’s lucrative broadcast rights deal with Paramount.

Dana White and President Donald Trump confirmed that the UFC will host an event at the White House in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The event is expected to take place on June 14, and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“I’m not shocked by the mainstream growth,” Goldberg told SportsBoom.us. 

“Did I think there would be a UFC [event] on the White House lawn? No, I did not. But I wish I was involved in it.” 

“I think [the event taking place at the White House] is pretty darn cool and it makes a statement.”

Given the magnitude of the White House event, many casual viewers may tune in to the UFC for the first time.

As a result, Goldberg explained that commentators will likely need to educate new viewers more that night, much like he did during his tenure.

“We don’t want to insult those fans who have been here through the process to where we are today, but we have to teach the others. It was a very delicate balance,” Goldberg said.

“We’re gaining fans all over the world and we have to give them the basics.”

SPIKE TV TO PARAMOUNT

The UFC has become a mainstream powerhouse, particularly over the last 20 years. Although the promotion once struggled financially, its leadership remained confident that a profit would come.

Goldberg, who served as the UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator from 1997 to 2016, highlighted that the UFC’s owners once paid SpikeTV for airtime in order to broadcast The Ultimate Fighter.

While the UFC has attracted significant mainstream attention in recent years, Goldberg believes the organization had already reached that level before his departure in 2016.

“I believe that by the time my tenure had concluded, we were mainstream. We were there,” Goldberg said. 

Working alongside Joe Rogan, Goldberg called some of the most iconic moments in UFC history. He noted that it was apparent UFC fans were enthusiastic and passionate about the product.

“I felt it was there and it’s only grown since that point. Did I think it would become $7.7 billion for TV rights? Maybe not.”

“Am I surprised? No, not all, because I had seen the trajectory and I knew at that time it wasn’t going to go down at all. It was going to go up.”

“People still love it. The most passionate fans are MMA fans,” Goldberg added.

Goldberg, best known for his UFC commentary, has recently also shared his thoughts on NHL stars at the 2026 Winter Olympics, including Macklin Celebrini and Auston Matthews, weighing in on the intense Canada-USA rivalry and the potential Olympic impact on the league.

STILL HAVING A PRESENCE IN UFC PROGRAMMING

Despite departing from the UFC in 2016, Goldberg continues to maintain a strong presence in the promotion’s programming. His voice and memorable calls remain heavily featured in promo packages.

UFC 324 served as a recent example of that. The event, which marked the promotion’s debut on Paramount+, started with a series of promo packages introducing the audience to their brand. 

Within that highlight reel, Goldberg’s voice can be heard elevating some of the organization’s most iconic moments. 

Goldberg expressed gratitude for the moments he and Rogan helped bring to life and for being recognized years later.

“Let’s just say my phone was blowing up because, ‘The wait is finally over!’ And I’m getting chills right now. I’m thinking that’s the first thing the new Paramount+ audience heard.”

“That’s where it’s so gratifying because I know in my heart of hearts what I did, what I left, and how hard I worked for the time I was there,” Goldberg said. 

“It was very special to have my voice intertwined,” he concluded.