UFC announcer Mike Goldberg: 'I absolutely do not' have a drug problem

Sakara=Excitement · 01-21-2013, 04:13 PM

UFC announcer Mike Goldberg: 'I absolutely do not' have a drug problem - MMA Fighting

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Longtime UFC play-by-play announcer Mike Goldberg has been the subject of relentless speculation since he was abruptly pulled from his commentating duties on the afternoon of UFC 155 on Dec. 29.

The loudest of the rumors, which was published on several websites, claimed that Goldberg was sent to rehab to treat a drug addiction.

But on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, Goldberg broke his weeks-long public silence with a strong declaration.

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Asked point-blank by MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani whether he has a drug problem, Goldberg said "I absolutely do not."

Goldberg has been the UFC's lead play-by-play commentator since 1997. Saturday marked the first time the veteran announcer missed a fight night in that span for reasons other than scheduling conflicts.

According to the announcer, the reason for the late withdrawal from the UFC 155 gig was the lingering effects of an upper respiratory infection originally contracted at UFC 153 in Brazil combined with Goldberg's ongoing battle with asthma. Jon Anik took Goldberg's place alongside color commentator Joe Rogan.

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"I ended up coming home from Brazil with a virus, an upper respiratory infection, I ended up being hospitalized a couple times for it, just because they were making sure they could get my lungs open," Goldberg said. "And just the complications of, I'm an asthmatic, I have been since high school, the complications with trying to get proper medications to get this virus out of my body, I'm not the first guy to come back from Brazil not feeling 100 percent, it just kind of spiraled."

While not feeling 100 percent, the veteran broadcaster, who has called everything in his career from pro hockey to football in addition to his signature role as UFC announced, still wanted to gut it out and get through the night.

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"I've had throat infections, chest infections I've had a head cold, during the 800 NHL games I called, in the 200 or so UFCs or so I've done since 1997. So yeah, I'm a prideful guy, I consider myself a fighter as far as my broadcast spot, I want to be in my seat at cageside during UFC 155, but it broke my heart that I wasn't able to do so. I was kicking and screaming because I wanted to call the fights, I wanted to call the [Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez] rematch, I wanted to be there for a big show just like every big show I want to be there.

"To put it simply, it was the perfect storm, my immune system was never really able to get back in balance, and then complications came, my voice started to go, and I wasn't able to get the pre-production done, and I wasn't able to voice it 100 percent, and I wasn't able to get it together for UFC 155."

Speculation began to swirl about Goldberg's condition almost as soon as news of his absence became public. Asked about the situation at the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White simply said, "Goldie's out for awhile, and I don't know when he'll be back. Next question."

Without an explanation, it was inevitable Internet rumors would crop up, which led to the internet reports of drug abuse.

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"This is the society that we live in today," Goldberg said. "Everybody's got a Twitter, everyone pays 500 bucks for their website and all of a sudden, they're a ‘reliable source.' And one of those websites said something that was not true, and what disappointed me was how many ‘reliable sources' ... how many renegade websites and then legit websites just went with this gossip-site sources and assumed the worst, instead of checking their sources like they teach you in journalism 101 and make sure that the story is true. It was disappointing, it was hurtful, and yet the outpour of support by the majority of the people on social media, on Twitter was very heartfelt and it was appreciated.. People like to see people fail, people like gossip, people people like to think the worst, people unfortunately that's the society we live in. "

Goldberg will return to his play-by-play duties alongside Rogan on Saturday night at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago. He told Helwani that he hasn't ruled out letting his attorney pursue legal action against the websites which accused him of having a drug problem, but beyond that, Goldberg says he's feeling better and ready to get back to work.

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"I feel great, my immune system is back in check, and I feel ready to go and I'm excited to do the UFC on FOX."

Trodden · 01-21-2013, 04:49 PM

We should start an internet rumor Goldberg is a hit man for the CIA

Bork_Lazer · 01-22-2013, 05:55 AM

Interesting, someone just attempted to murder Ahmed Dogan just as Goldy went missing.

but really though, youtube Ahmed Dogan assassination, some wild stuff, reminded me of the scene in The Dark Knight when someone tries to kill Harvey Dent.

bingo · 01-22-2013, 06:28 AM

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Speculation began to swirl about Goldberg's condition almost as soon as news of his absence became public. Asked about the situation at the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White simply said, "Goldie's out for awhile, and I don't know when he'll be back. Next question."

Without an explanation, it was inevitable Internet rumors would crop up, which led to the internet reports of drug abuse.

If there wasn't something going on besides a virus/respiratory infection, you would have thought Dana would have said "Goldies a bit under the weather." or something similar. At the same time he says he'll be back for the next TV fight card. Could it be he went to Lindsay Lohans rehab center, or could he really have just been sick? Weird....

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Goldberg will return to his play-by-play duties alongside Rogan on Saturday night at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago. He told Helwani that he hasn't ruled out letting his attorney pursue legal action against the websites which accused him of having a drug problem, but beyond that, Goldberg says he's feeling better and ready to get back to work.

Again, unless you've got something to hide, why would he potentially "pursue legal action" against the offending websites? You would think he'd just flip them the bird, put it all behind him and get back to work. If there was truly nothing to the story, everything would die down and everyone would forget that it ever happened.

Sakara=Excitement · 01-22-2013, 06:57 AM

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Originally Posted by bingo

Again, unless you've got something to hide, why would he potentially "pursue legal action" against the offending websites? You would think he'd just flip them the bird, put it all behind him and get back to work. If there was truly nothing to the story, everything would die down and everyone would forget that it ever happened.

You know better than that man.

People think everything they read on the interwebz is the truth. Look at how the hardcore fans on this site reacted.

He'll sue, and he'll win.

bingo · 01-22-2013, 07:46 AM

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Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

You know better than that man.

People think everything they read on the interwebz is the truth. Look at how the hardcore fans on this site reacted.

He'll sue, and he'll win.

While I agree with you on the interwebz thing and that he could sue and possibly win, I was simply trying to say that if he got that upset about it and wants to sue he's either possibly guilty, greedy, or thin skinned. Outside of the MMA world nobody knows who this clown is. It didn't seem to have affected his job and if he's got proof he was simply sick then he's got nothing to worry about. I guess it's part of being a celebrity.
By your train of thought, you should sue too. You've been bashed, berated, and generally made fun of right here on the good old interwebz. By golly I think you might have an iron clad case!

Cat--Smasher · 01-22-2013, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

You know better than that man.

People think everything they read on the interwebz is the truth. Look at how the hardcore fans on this site reacted.

He'll sue, and he'll win.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingo

While I agree with you on the interwebz thing and that he could sue and possibly win, I was simply trying to say that if he got that upset about it and wants to sue he's either possibly guilty, greedy, or thin skinned. Outside of the MMA world nobody knows who this clown is. It didn't seem to have affected his job and if he's got proof he was simply sick then he's got nothing to worry about. I guess it's part of being a celebrity.
By your train of thought, you should sue too. You've been bashed, berated, and generally made fun of right here on the good old interwebz. By golly I think you might have an iron clad case!

Forget legal action... Zuffa could just back their boy and blackball the offending websites & media members.

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