During the 20-year history of the UFC, several men have announced fights for the promotion, but there is only one man that has come to be known as “The Voice of the Octagon.” That man is Bruce Buffer.
Buffer has been the full time UFC Octagon announcer since UFC 13. Since that time, he has missed a total of two events. By his count, he has called more than 200 UFC fight cards, and more than 3,000 total fights for the promotion.
Buffer hosted a fan Q & A session prior to Friday’s UFC 168 weigh-in, and was asked to recall the most embarrassing moment of his UFC tenure. Buffer didn’t hesitate to reply, “I think we all saw earlier this year when I ruined my perfect record for the two gentlemen in the Octagon that had the slightly reddish beards, and I named the wrong winner in the Pat “Bam Bam” Healy fight.”
In case you missed it, the call came during the first fight of UFC 159’s main card. The fight had ended in the third round via a Healy rear naked choke. Unfortunately, that was not how Buffer initially called the outcome, “Ladies and gentleman,” Buffer announced. “Referee Herb Dean has called a stop to this contest at 4:02 of the third round, declaring the winner by submission Jim Miller. Oh, excuse me, Pat ‘Bam Bam’ Healy.”
When Buffer made the call, a smiling Healy glanced back at the Octagon announcer with as referee Dean raised Healy’s hand in victory.
As to why it happened, Buffer said, “I’m only human, and that was my one mistake.”
Buffer will not miss UFC 168, which takes place on Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.