Bruce Buffer is a prominent figure at UFC events. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @brucebuffer
If you’ve been following the UFC long enough, you’d probably have a hard time imagining the world’s most famous MMA organization without the voice of Bruce Buffer. The legendary announcer, responsible for the world-renowned catchphrase “It’s Time!” when announcing contenders inside the Octagon, has been a passionate part of the UFC’s production for nearly three decades. In this era of low-effort fight cards, Buffer is still introducing fighters and announcing winners with uncompromising zeal. His energy is needed and appreciated, a familiar and necessary part of the UFC package.
The question is: how much longer can he maintain this level at 67 years of age?
On the night of last Saturday (29) on the card of UFC Mexico, Buffer committed a critical error when announcing the winner of the fight between Jamall Emmers e Gabriel Miranda. The organization's iconic presenter got confused and ended up announcing the victory of the Brazilian, who had been brutally knocked out by the American in the first round of the duel, valid for the featherweight (up to 65,7 kg). Fortunately, the referee was attentive and correctly raised Emmers' arm.
Neither athlete seemed to react to Bruce Buffer's mistake. Still, watching the announcer try to correct his mistake on a cut microphone was truly disturbing. (see below)
On its own, this would just be a bad moment for the consummate professional, but was it an isolated incident? In fact, this is the second time in less than a year that we've seen this happen. UFC 301, in May of last year, Anthony Smith won a great victory by finishing Victor Petrino in the first round – and taking away the young Brazilian's undefeated record in the process – inside the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. However, the victory was quickly overshadowed when Buffer announced the wrong winner.
“The referee has stopped this contest two minutes into the first round. Declaring the winner by submission due to a guillotine choke and still undefeated… Vitor… sorry! Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith!!!” (see below)
Bruce Buffer made the correct call for Anthony Smith real quick #UFC301 pic.twitter.com/qxzTGkKnT9
- ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 5, 2024
Smith was asked about the rare mistake during his post-fight interview.
“I feel really bad for Buffer. I know how serious and how much he loves his job and how professional he is. He’s very hard on himself… Bruce and I are friends, like, we work together a lot. So he takes his job very seriously. He takes it seriously; he puts his heart and soul into it. I feel bad because he’s probably upset about it. I hope I can talk to him later. I’m fine with it — people make mistakes. It’s not a big deal. I just hope he’s not beating himself up too much,” Smith said at the time.
Time is inevitable
Bruce Buffer has been with the organization since UFC 8. Photo: UFC
In addition to the 2024 incident, there were concerns about the announcer in the UFC Seattle, last month. During the event, fans and media discussed online that Buffer seemed out of place. His voice cracked on several occasions, and he seemed to have trouble reading his cards while announcing the winner. But so far, there are simple solutions. Maybe printing the result cards in a larger font would make it easier for the UFC icon to read?
More likely, however, is the simple fact that Buffer is getting older. Every serious fight fan knows the story of him eventually tearing his meniscus in three places and the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while performing the big Georges St Pierre. But does everyone remember that the injury occurred at UFC 129 in 2011? That was 14 years ago! (see below)
Buffer also faced a battle with COVID-19 that sidelined him a few years ago, affecting his lungs and making his job even more difficult.
Like all fight fans, we hope Buffer is healthy, happy and has another decade in the UFC. However, we must recognize that the announcer is a man of retirement age, and that change may come sooner rather than later.
Buffer has been with the company since UFC 8, a 'dinosaur' that has survived the test of time in an octagon where many names have started and ended.
When Buffer decides to hang up his mic once and for all, it will be the end of an era and a sad day for the MMA community.
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