Karyn Bryant

UFC Anchor, ESPN
Upon graduating from Brown University with a double major in political science and sociology, Karyn Bryant began her professional broadcasting career as a VJ for MTV. Aided by a sharp personality, and a profound passion for music, Karyn was next tapped by the then fledgling FX cable network to host the live, daily music show Sound FX.

Using live television to hone her skills as a broadcaster, Karyn was chosen by TNT to host an interstitial series of entertainment
vignettes called “Rough Cut.” The success of the vignettes prompted TNT to turn “Rough Cut” into a weekly television series hosted by Karyn. This marked the beginning of Karyn's professional relationship with Turner Broadcasting.
 

TBS soon launched the wraparound series “Movies, For Guys Who Like Movies.” Strong enough for the action, and sexy enough to be a Bond girl, Karyn could be seen engaging the enemy in simulated dogfights, or piloting a Navy LCAC Hovercraft.

Impressed with her on-camera presence and her encyclopedic knowledge of music, Lorne Michaels hand picked Karyn to host his new daily game show for VH1, Name That Video.

A stint hosting CNN's Talk Back Live gave Turner further insight into this remarkable woman's capabilities. Thus, in 2004, Karyn was chosen to co-anchor CNN's revamped Showbiz Tonight, the country's only live, primetime, hour-long daily entertainment news show. When the series premiered in early 2005, Karyn earned the distinction of being the only African-American woman anchoring in primetime on any cable news channel.

Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Karyn became a rabid Patriots and Red Sox fan. That passion drew ESPN into her media fan base and she soon joined them for their first live New Year’s show as the countdown to 2006 began.

In 2006 Karyn joined the Showtime Championship Boxing announcer team of Steve Albert, Al Bernstein and Jim Gray. After establishing herself in combat-sports coverage, Karyn was invited by CBS to join their Elite Xtreme Combat announcer team, debuting mixed martial arts for the first time on primetime network television on May 31, 2008.

 Prior to her work with CBS and understanding that MMA was about to explode around the world, Karyn co-founded MMA H.E.A.T. in 2007. Initially an on-line destination for interviews, event coverage and lifestyle stories surrounding the sport, MMA H.E.A.T.’s popularity grew very quickly. In 2010-2011, Karyn produced and hosted 23 half-hour episodes of MMA H.E.A.T. for the MAV TV cable channel.  

Recognizing that Karyn had emerged as the number one female in MMA coverage, in 2012 FUEL TV brought her on board to anchor live UFC weigh-ins, as well as pre and post-fight shows. With FUEL TV now known as FS1, Karyn could also be found hosting the network’s signature UFC show UFC Tonight as well as TUF Talk, UFC From All Angles and UFC 1-on-1. At FS1 Karyn also joined the broadcast team for coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, where she interviewed handlers, judges and “Best In Show” winners for the last three years. 

These days, Karyn continues her role as lead anchor for the UFC in the organization’s new home at ESPN. 

Raised in Massachusetts, Karyn lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Wade, and their daughter, Aurora.

On Twitter, @KarynBryant. On Instagram, @kbheat.