Jon Anik is a big fan of the UFC 272 main event between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. The UFC commentator knows both men very well and has been a big fan of Masvidal.

The fight is a very important one at welterweight and Jon Anik believes the loser will find themselves in a very tough spot. Both men have lost two times to Kamaru Usman in the past few years.

“It’s hugely high stakes in terms of the welterweight division,” Anik told MMA Fighting in a recent interview. “We’re gonna get a lot of clarity at 170 pounds.

“I think it’s very interesting stylistically because a lot of people feel like Covington is gonna be a 5-to-1 favorite and has all the advantages in terms of where this fight is gonna take place. I like the fact that it’s gonna be in a 30-foot octagon at the T-Mobile Arena, and some people think I make too much of that, but I do feel like the little [cage] favors the grappler, so I think for Masvidal, it’s better to have this fight in a 30 footer.

“But yeah, man, it’s fascinating. There’s a lot of different layers to it, and if Covington is going to get a third crack at Usman — who presumably is going to fight Leon Edwards next — this is a fight he absolutely has to win, and I think the same could be said for Masvidal. I think whoever loses this fight is probably never gonna fight for the belt again.”

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The fight feels like a very big one and Jon Anik can feel the difference heading into UFC 272. The energy is very obvious heading into this one.

“I get anxious when I’m asked about this fight, and in the best of ways as a sports fan thinking about these guys making the walk,” Anik said. “When there’s heat on a matchup — and there most definitely is here — it elevates everything for the fighters, the fans, the broadcasters. If you asked me if I would rather a fight be [with] the ultimate sportsmanship, hugging before the third round, or do I want them hating each other, I would certainly lead towards them hating each other.

“I’ve sat behind Covington and Masvidal on an airplane when they were buddy-buddy sitting next to each other,” the UFC commentator continued. “They weren’t just friends — they were boys, man. Obviously, that’s a very unique backdrop to this fight.”