It was 1996 at UFC 8 when a then unknown Bruce Buffer made his debut as the company’s ring announcer. He would take on the job for the next two decades and counting, as he eventually established himself as the “veteran voice of the Octagon.”
At 63 years of age, Buffer has yet to show signs of slowing down, and foresees at least another decade on the mic.
“I’m very humble about it all. I’m all about passion, everything I do is with a passion that is the reason why I announce the way I do,” Buffer said recently on BJPenn.com’s Just Scrap. “When that passion starts to fade, which is not my case, then yes that is the time I will probably announce it is my time to retire.
“But, I would say you are stuck with me for at least another 10 years. I’m in great shape and stay in great shape. I’m lucky to do what I do.”
With 24 years on the job, Buffer had gotten used to the energy screaming fans around. But whether it’s a packed arena or a smaller empty venue, he approaches them with the same level of energy.
“I always give 150 percent every time I walk into the Octagon,” he said. “I’ve said it many times, every time I walk out on Saturday, those are the nights I have to prove I deserve the job.
“When I am there with no audiences with two great warriors in Stipe and DC, even when there are 50,000 people in an arena, when the introduction happens it is just me and the fighter. Just enhance the moment.”
One of Buffer’s iconic moments was when he pulled off the “Buffer 360” at UFC 100 in 2009. After continuous goading from Joe Rogan, Buffer finally did the move as he introduced eventual champion Brock Lesnar.
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