UFC Noche wasn’t just about the fights — it was also a showcase of commentary talent, and Brendan Fitzgerald emerged as the star of the broadcast. Leading from cageside at UFC Fight Night 259, Fitzgerald handled the play-by-play for the annual Noche showdown with precision and energy that kept fans hooked. Sharing the booth with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and former champion Dominick Cruz, Fitzgerald still managed to stand out.

Even alongside former champions, his commentary resonated, particularly at a time when the UFC has struggled to maintain consistently strong broadcast teams. Currently, the primary commentary team features Joe Rogan, Jon Anik, and Daniel Cormier, with occasional substitutions for color commentary. However, these changes don’t always go smoothly — for instance, Michael Bisping has stepped in when Rogan, who prefers pay-per-view events and seldom travels overseas, is unavailable.

At UFC Noche, Cruz faced criticism after mistakenly announcing, “Alice Pereira’s brother is Alex Pereira,” when in fact Alex Pereira’s sister is Aline Pereira. Fans were quick to highlight the error, questioning whether UFC fighters make the best commentators. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald drew widespread praise online. On X, Full Send MMA wrote: “Brendan Fitzgerald deserves some credit,” noting that his commentary naturally hyped the live action and met fan expectations — something even Cormier and Cruz occasionally struggle to achieve.

 Brendan Fitzgerald’s rise has been impressive. From his early days covering fighters on Dana White’s Contender Series to becoming the lead voice for UFC Noche, he has proven his ability to elevate a broadcast. Now, fans are rallying for White and the UFC to make him a permanent face of the commentary team, applauding the energy, clarity, and excitement he brings to every fight.

Fans call Brendan Fitzgerald a “Solid Commentator,” eyeing Joe Rogan and Jon Anik’s spot

UFC Noche reached a fever pitch when Brendan Fitzgerald shouted, “Diego Lopes… the Noche is yours,” capturing the fight’s energy in a single, electrifying moment. As a result, fans were thrilled, particularly because the call came from a commentator without a traditional MMA or UFC background. Before rising to UFC commentary, a New England native, Fitzgerald got his start in smaller markets, including Casper, Wyoming, and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. He later worked as a studio anchor at ESPNU, covering college football and basketball.

Despite his limited experience in mixed martial arts, he embraced UFC commentary with enthusiasm, quickly earning recognition for his engaging and knowledgeable style. Unsurprisingly, social media buzzed in response. One fan wrote, “Solid commentary, he reminds me of Jon Anik,” while another added, “Solid work by Brendan. Dom & DC, step up your game lmao.”

Meanwhile, the UFC commentary team has long faced criticism, with Joe Rogan frequently under scrutiny. Many feel his insights have grown inconsistent or biased. For instance, Instagram page Weird MMA revisited UFC 259’s light heavyweight bout between Israel Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz, noting that Joe Rogan’s commentary made it seem like Adesanya was winning the first three rounds, “giving no credit” to Jan Blachowicz.

Now, Brendan Fitzgerald’s name is being floated as a permanent fixture in UFC commentary. Fans are voicing their support: “Fitzy is one of the best commentators,” while others criticize Dominick Cruz: “Cruz doing everything he can to ruin it.” In fact, one fan even suggested, “He should replace DC.” For Fitzgerald, the moment represented a dream realized.

Ahead of UFC Noche, he reflected on his journey: “A boy from rural Texas to San Antonio with a camera on my shoulder covering high school football… not knowing if I’d ever get that big break… now walking past the same Alamo on my way to be on ESPN… thinking about how my mom never got to meet my youngest son… thinking about the pure joy I have in these friends I’ve made.” Since then, fans continue to celebrate his rise online. One wrote, “Most underrated commentator by far. He can take over Anik once he’s done.”

The bigger question now is whether UFC will lean into this groundswell. With Anik still firmly entrenched as the play-by-play anchor of pay-per-views and Rogan unlikely to extend his schedule, Fitzgerald may carve a role as the face of ESPN Fight Nights and international cards — a positioning that could eventually make him the successor to Anik. For UFC, it’s a strategic choice: do they prioritize continuity with long-tenured voices, or respond to fans clamoring for Fitzgerald’s fresh energy?

With Joe Rogan balancing his podcast and other ventures, many are now asking whether Brendan Fitzgerald could be the UFC’s next lead commentator. Do you think he’s the right choice to carry the microphone into the future? Share your thoughts below.