A great fight always needs a great hype man, and for nearly 30 years, Bruce Buffer has brought unmatched energy to the UFC octagon. As the voice behind hundreds of mixed martial arts events and known for his passion and professionalism, Buffer has become one of the most legendary announcers in sports.
In an exclusive interview with The Latin Times in which he announced his new partnership with Bud Light, Buffer reflected on his decades-long career, the meteoric rise of the UFC, and the importance of Latino audiences in combat sports.
When asked about the best part of his job, Buffer didn't hesitate.
"I am a fan first, then an announcer second. I get to see my favorite sport, I get to represent it, and I get to roar the names of these incredible UFC warriors stepping into the cage," Buffer said. "I try to enhance their moment as much as I can for the excitement of all UFC fans watching. It comes full circle. There is nothing but positivity in it."
Buffer began announcing for the UFC in 1996, just three years after the organization's first event. Having been with the promotion almost since the beginning, he has witnessed its early struggles and rapid growth firsthand.
"It's been incredible. I was with the UFC back when it was a spectacle," he said. "We went from being the fastest-growing pay-per-view on television to being taken off the air. But thanks to fan support and online momentum, we survived."
He called the journey an "amazing evolutionary process."
"It has been exciting to grow with it in my own way and develop my own announcing style into what you see today. I am honored that people find it exciting. That's what I always aim to deliver. I bring the excitement, the energy, and the passion every time."
Buffer said he always believed in the UFC despite its early challenges. When asked if he ever imagined the organization would become a global sports phenomenon, he expressed zero doubt.
"I knew from day one. From my very first time in the octagon, I believed it would become the biggest thing in fighting sports," he said. "It just needed refinement, rule changes, and to evolve from a spectacle into a legitimate sport. The marketing has been phenomenal. As for the future, I think it will maintain its current status and only get bigger."
Buffer credited a key part of the UFC's global success to its Latino fanbase, calling it "ever so important" to the sport's continued growth.
"It is a vital market for everyone involved. Latinos love fighting. That has always been proven in boxing and now in MMA," he said. "The passion for combat sports runs deep in every fan's blood, but Latinos planted the seed that helped the UFC grow into what it is today. It is essential to keep engaging with that audience. Whether it's shows in Mexico or Brazil, we've seen how strong the support is."
That support was on full display last month, when more than 60,000 fans packed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for a title fight between Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez and Terence Crawford.
When asked whether the UFC could replicate that kind of turnout, Buffer said he believes it is entirely possible.
"You have to build the right card with a headliner who can draw a crowd, just like with Canelo and Crawford. It was the main event that filled the stadium," he said. "If you put the right names together and market it properly, yes, I believe the UFC could do the same. You put Conor McGregor or Jon Jones headlining a card, you can fill any arena you want."
After nearly 30 years in the octagon, Buffer says the UFC still finds new ways to surprise him.
"I have seen and forgotten more than I can remember," he said. "Every time I think I've witnessed the greatest fight or the greatest moment, three months later, it happens again. That's the beauty of the UFC."
As for how much longer he'll keep doing it, Buffer says he's in no rush to stop.
"I want to reach UFC 400, and I'd like to keep doing this for at least another five to 10 years, maybe even beyond. I just take it one day at a time."
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