Last Updated on March 1, 2024
Bruce Anthony Buffer is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) ring announcer who currently serves as the official octagon announcer for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.
Buffer is commonly introduced on broadcasts as the ‘Veteran Voice of the Octagon.’ The MMA ring announcer is associated with the catchphrase ‘It’s time,’ which he says right before a UFC event kicks off.
In addition to his current role as UFC ring announcer, Bruce Buffer is also an MMA artist. Buffer is a black belt holder in Tang Soo Do. He has also fought as a kickboxer.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Bruce Anthony Buffer |
| Popular Name: | Bruce Buffer |
| Gender: | Male |
| Birth Date: | May 21, 1957 |
| Age: | 65 years |
| Parents: | Joe Buffer and Connie Buffer |
| Siblings: | Half-brothers with professional boxing and wrestling ring announcer Michael Buffer |
| Birth Place: | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Nationality: | United States |
| Ethnicity: | White |
| Education: | Unknown |
| Marital Status: | Divorced; was married to a woman named Annie Buffer (until their divorce in 2015) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
| Children: | Has a son named Dougie Buffer |
| Dating: | N/A |
| Net Worth: | USD 12 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Mixed Martial Arts Ring Announcing and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 10″ (1.73 m) |
| Weight: | 75 kg; In pounds: 165 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Bruce Buffer was born on May 21, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, to Joe Buffer and Connie Buffer.
Buffer took an interest in martial arts at the age of thirteen. He was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the time. He studied judo and eventually earned the rank of green belt.
At the age of fifteen, Bruce Buffer moved with his family to Malibu, California, where he continued working on his MMA ambitions. He soon befriended two students of Chuck Norris. Through the friendship, Buffer was able to learn Tang Soo Do, a discipline in which he holds a second-degree black belt.
Buffer later began training in kickboxing. By his mid-20s, he was already a promising kickboxer. However, he decided to quit the sport after suffering a devastating concussion.
UFC Career
Bruce Buffer made his UFC ring announcing debut in 1996 by announcing the preliminary fight on UFC 8. He later took on the role of a host, hosting all fights at UFC 10.
Buffer officially became a full-time UFC ring announcer starting with UFC 13. He has remained one of the company’s most defining figures to date.
Other Appearances Outside the UFC
Bruce Buffer has made numerous appearances outside the UFC. Buffer appeared as himself on a 1997 episode of the television sitcom ‘Friends,’ titled “The One with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.” It’s during his performance on the sitcom that he was able to convince UFC owner Robert Myer to hire him as the company’s full-time ring announcer.
Buffer has also announced numerous international MMA promotions, including K-1 events. In 2008, he announced the much-anticipated boxing match between Joel Casamayor and Michael Katsidis. Bruce also announces for the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC), a biannual submission wrestling tournament.
Bruce Buffer has also earned himself a spot among the world’s best poker players and has appeared at several professional poker events. In 2007, he appeared on ESPN’s ‘World Series of Poker Main Event’ show, where he faced off with World Poker Champion Chris Moneymaker. The same year, Buffer appeared on an episode of the HBO comedy-drama, Entourage.
Other notable appearances by Bruce Buffer include in the films Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015) and Holmes & Watson (2018), and in a season 19 episode of the reality television series Hell’s Kitchen.
Bruce Buffer’s Net Worth
Bruce Buffer has built his career almost entirely around mixed martial arts. In addition to earning himself a cult following, Buffer has also made millions from his MMA announcer job. As at 2023, the UFC ring announcer had a net worth of $12 million.
Buffer’s MMA endeavors also include managing The Buffer Partnership. The Buffer Partnership is a joint venture between Bruce and his half-brother Michael, with the former serving as the company’s president and chief executive officer (CEO).
Lessons from Bruce Buffer
1. Take advantage of every opportunity you get
While appearing on a 1997 episode of ‘Friends,’ Bruce Buffer utilized the opportunity to canvass for a UFC ring announcer job.
2. Forge a unique identity
Buffer is uniquely identified by his various catchphrases, including ‘It’s time!’ The ring announcer also has signature moves, such as the ‘Buffer 180’ in which he moves directly across the Octagon and then makes a quick 180 degrees spin while pointing to the corner being introduced.
3. Find your niche and excel at it
Bruce Buffer has earned tremendous achievements. Bruce has a green belt in judo, a second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, and is now a UFC ring announcer. Interestingly, most of his endeavors revolve around one niche – MMA.
Famous Quotes by Bruce Buffer
• A puncher’s chance means that anyone has the potential to succeed, whatever the odds or circumstances, if he or she works for it.
• Every day I wake up I look in the mirror and I say to myself, ‘It’s time.’ The reason for that is I believe we’re only as good as today.
• I’m completely honest with everyone I deal with. I genuinely care about people. I want to see people succeed and be the best that they can be. So, I wanted to write a motivational book about life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
• I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had to fight for everything I’ve achieved in my life – which is true about all of us. And I truly believe that we are all created equal. It’s about the paths we choose.
• When you create a nucleus of activity and it starts gaining steam, what you want to do in business is you want to create as many streams or legs out of that nucleus as possible.
Final Word
Bruce Buffer is one of the most influential figures in mixed martial arts. Although he’s currently best known for his role as MMA announcer, Buffer has also participated in various MMA disciplines. His endeavors have earned him a cumulative net worth of $12 million as at 2023.
