Issue 143
July 2016
Bruce Buffer reveals some of his most treasured memories from two decades as the UFC’s most recognizable voice
Bruce Buffer: UFC Announcer
On July 12th, just three days after UFC 200, a mixed martial arts icon will celebrate 20 years since he first announced for the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. He’s one of the most passionate men in the business. Every fan loves him. Every fighter respects him. You couldn’t imagine the sport without him. If there’s someone who doesn’t appreciate the work of Bruce Buffer, Fighters Only hasn’t met them.
If you needed any further evidence of his popularity, you only need to spend an evening in Bruce Buffer’s company during a UFC weekend. After two decades in the game, people continue to queue up to meet him, shake his hand or pose for a selfie.
“It’s a wonderful experience leaving a UFC (event) on fight night,” he says. “It takes me 45-60 minutes just to get back to my hotel room because the fans are rabid, they love everyone in the UFC and I take every picture, give every autograph. I’ve never turned anybody down because, quite frankly, I remember it used to be crickets and nobody out there would say anything. If a fan is going to spend their hard-earned dollar, they deserve the attention, because without the fans we’re nothing. I give everything to the fans.”
‘The Veteran Voice of the Octagon’ refers to the ‘dark ages’ when the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the sport of MMA struggled for acceptance. But the “loyal soldier” stuck with the ailing organization during some difficult years until Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Frank Fertitta III’s Zuffa took control.
Shortly after that, Buffer met with White to discuss the direction of the business. He reveals the new UFC president made a request: “He said that time I announced Tito Ortiz vs. Evan Tanner, combined with my brother Michael Buffer’s announcement of the Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield, were two of the greatest announcements he’d ever heard and he’d like me to use that as the staple.”
From then on, his announcing has constantly evolved and is now unmatched and utterly unique. From his trademark call of “it’s time” to the Buffer 180, he has refined his craft to become the finest performer in his field. For years, he’s incited cheers from entire arenas and provoked visceral reactions from the fighters who scream along with him as he reads their names.
Of course, the arrival of Zuffa didn’t just influence the Octagon’s irreplaceable announcer. It propelled the sport towards success. The catalyst was the first Ultimate Fighter finale and Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar – perhaps the only time you’ll ever see Buffer go off-script. Usually a picture of suave sophistication, caressing the audience’s eardrums with velvety tones – this time he just couldn’t contain his passion.
Flash back to that night in 2005 as Buffer roared: “You have just witnessed three rounds of the greatest action seen inside the Octagon in the history of the UFC! These men are the reason why the UFC has the greatest fighting athletes in the world!”
Back in the present day he tells FO: “I think everybody’s jaw was on the floor for that fight. As the announcer, I have to stay unbiased, go out and do my job.” But this was different. “What you saw that night was Bruce Buffer the fan. I remember I threw my hands in the air when they gave the contract to Stephan Bonnar and I screamed out. Afterward I might have been told to hold off making those kind of personal opinion statements, but outside of that everything was cool.”
That watershed moment for the sport was also one of the lifelong martial arts enthusiast’s career highlights. Though picking one single favorite after two decades in the center of the Octagon is almost impossible.
“I’ve probably forgotten more than I can remember,” Buffer says. “Every time there’s these great moments, the beauty is in the next few shows there’s another amazing moment. It’s impossible to say the greatest moment because there have been so many. I cherish great moments and as a result I have a tremendous amount of great memories.”
There is, however, no doubt about the man that received his most spine-tingling introductions. Buffer doesn’t play favorites, but his reverence for Randy Couture prompted announcements unlike any others that brought thousands of fans to their feet.
He recalls one of these occasions at UFC 105 in Manchester, England: “I always give it to Randy every single time, but at that stage, you didn’t know when Randy’s last fight was going to happen. I remember I bowed to him – what people call the ‘Buffer Bow’. If I scratch my eye or pick my nose it’s going to be the ‘Buffer Scratch’ or ‘Buffer Pick’. The fans are very funny.
“There’s so much meat to Randy’s introduction. The former, the former, the former. The legendary, UFC Hall of Fame, Octagon warrior. I even got chills saying that right now because I remember that moment. It’s just part of the pleasure of my job. I can still visualize and get excited by it. He is one of the great fighters of all time. He’s a role model. He’s the epitome of what a great fighter should be. I just want to honor him.
“I gave Brandon Vera his big thing too because I don’t just do one fighter – both fighters deserve everything I have – but in the case of Randy, you’re introducing a legend, so why not give a legendary introduction?”
After 20 years, Buffer has done it all and seen it all. He even picked up the prestigious Fighters Only World MMA Awards ‘Lifetime Achievement’ prize at this year’s ceremony to recognize his unparalleled career. But does that mean the end is in sight? Are there any signs the passion for his work will waver? Not a chance. His passion for MMA is as strong as ever.
“I can’t imagine myself not announcing the UFC,” he says. “It’s part of my life. I wake up in the morning, I eat my breakfast, I think about the UFC. It’s who I am. It’s an amazing position to be in. I kiss the ground every day. I’m humbled by the fact I can say I’m the voice of the Octagon.”
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Today Las Vegas, tomorrow the world
Buffer has been across the globe with the UFC, but as it continues to grow, where would he most like to visit and announce in the future?
He says: “I was opening up four sold-out concerts for Daddy Yankee and Don Omar in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and walking around, being recognized and realizing how much the people love the UFC, I thought, ‘What a great place that would be.’
“I’m really dreaming about when France gets the OK because I love the south of France. I tell you what, if we do a show there I’m staying for another five days! Also Italy. I’m Italian and it would be great to go to Rome, or Greece – where pankration originated. I can’t wait. It’s going to be awesome.”
Say it ain’t so!
Because of the number of international UFC shows, Buffer can’t be the ever-present figure he used to be. Sometimes he would literally have to be in two places at once to announce every card, which frustrates him more than anything.
“I can’t begin to tell you what it’s like sitting at home on a Saturday night and I’m not announcing a UFC,” he says. “There’s always another thing I can do, but it’s not easy. It’s painful, quite honesty.
He’s not the only one who gets upset. Fighters miss him when he’s not around – like Anderson Silva at the most recent Fight Night in London, England. Buffer explains: “He. Was. P**sed. He said, ‘No, no, no!’ I had to say sorry. It kills me. I want to be there so bad.”
Visit brucebuffer.com to get your own custom voicemail, introduction, or video recording from Bruce.
