UFC commentator Jon Anik believes his broadcast partner and former bantamweight champ  Dominick Cruz is hitting a new stride on the mic. A mainstay on the UFC broadcast team, Anik looks forward to spending more time with Cruz as a commentary partner now that he has retired from competition following a shoulder injury that prompted the cancelation of a scheduled bout in Seattle against Rob Font. “Dominick Cruz is certainly my best friend among broadcast partners,” Anik told MMA Junkie Radio . “The man I have spent the most time with on the road over the years, and I think, you know, the guy that I’ve leaned on the most in terms of helping me improve and reciprocally sort of helping him improve – just having an open mind to all of that.” Cruz has been alongside Anik in the commentary booth off and on for years while still competing in the twilight of his Hall of Fame-worthy fighting career. Cruz’s first whole show in the commentary booth was at UFC Fight Night 95 in September 2016. As his retirement approached and he focused more on improving his skills in the booth, Anik says it’s hard to deny his growth as an analyst.