Mike Goldberg releases statement following UFC departure

Prior to UFC 207, it was reported that longtime UFC commentator Mike Goldberg would be calling his last UFC event at the highly anticipated event. Throughout the course of the broadcast, there was no mention of the event being Goldberg’s last.

Throughout the course of the event however, members of the MMA community continued to Tweet Goldberg, thanking him for the years he dedicated to calling fights over the course of his career. With that being said however, Goldberg’s son took to Twitter immediately following the event to express his dissatisfaction with the promotion for not acknowledging the event as Goldberg’s last:

my dad did so much for the UFC over the past 13 years and they can't even give him a proper goodbye. what a joke @ufc

— kole (@kolegoldberg) December 31, 2016

20 years** what an embarrassment @ufc https://t.co/2eHoF4fV6l

— kole (@kolegoldberg) December 31, 2016

Now, Goldberg has broken his silence on the matter, taking to Twitter to release a lengthy statement.

“I wish I could respond to every single fan, fighter and member of the media who reached out and showed their support, gratitude and appreciation! It has been overwhelming and so gratifying! Thank you!!

Every single UFC, from Ultimate Japan to UFC 207, my primary focus has been on just 2 things!

First, to bring passion, energy and raw emotion to our fans around the world, dedicated, diehard fans like none other!

Second, to properly represent each and every fighter, from UFC newcomer to veterans with 20 plus Octagon battles, our fighters work so hard and sacrifice so much it was my responsibility to properly prepare and tell their stories!!

Tommy Toe Hold, that video was hilarious!

And just for the record, I still believe that Anderson Silva’s precision is precise!”

What an incredible ride! I’ll forever be grateful for being on this journey with all of you for the last 19 years! pic.twitter.com/reg3APxk9X

— Mike Goldberg (@MFG16) January 7, 2017