| Bruce Buffer | |
|---|---|
Bruce Buffer at UFC 73 |
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| Born | May 21, 1957 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | UFC Announcer |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | "It's Time!" catchphrase, The Buffer 180°, The Buffer 360°, The Buffer Bow (specifically for Randy Couture) |
| Website | |
| BufferZone.net | |
Bruce Anthony Buffer (born May 21, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is the main octagon announcer for Zuffa main events. On UFC broadcasts, he is introduced as the "Veteran Voice of the Octagon." He is the half brother of the well-known boxing and wrestling ring announcer Michael Buffer, and is President and CEO of their company "The Buffer Partnership". Both Michael and Bruce are grandsons of late boxer Johnny Buff. Buffer holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do and has fought as a kickboxer.[1]
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Buffer always begins each PPV with the phrase "Ladies and gentlemen, we...are...live!" Before each main event Buffer proclaims, "This is the main event of the evening," followed by "This is the moment you've all been waiting for," and finally, "It's time!" before introducing the final two fighters.
Along with his catch phrases, Buffer has a signature move, which he has called the "Buffer 180"[2] where he motions directly across the Octagon before quickly spinning 180° and pointing to the corner being introduced. Buffer performs 45° and 90° turns before most fights, but reserves the "Buffer 180" for main events and co-main events. At UFC 100, Buffer performed a "Buffer 360" during his introduction of Frank Mir v. Brock Lesnar.[3] Buffer vowed he would never do the "Buffer 360" again. Regardless of this vow, he's stated on his radio show on the Sherdog Radio Network, that he might perform the 360 in "the spur of the moment." He also performs the "Buffer Bow" exclusively for Randy Couture, in which he bends down as a knight would to a king in the accolade.
Buffer has announced many other MMA promotions internationally including K-1 events and also the 2008 Casamayor/Katsidis boxing event on HBO. He also announces for the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) submission wrestling tournament held every two years around the world.
Buffer has appeared on ESPN's World Series of Poker Main Event show playing World Champion Chris Moneymaker at the televised table in 2007 and made the Final Table of the World Poker Tour, in the Season 3 Invitational at the Commerce Casino, where he placed 6th and is a very well known and world rated poker player on the professional circuit. He is also the official announcer for the World Series of Beer Pong.[4]
He appeared on an MMA versus poker pro match during the sixth season of the NBC show Poker After Dark along with Strikeforce Fighter Dan Henderson and UFC Fighter Randy Couture. Outlasting both his aforementioned MMA peers as well as pros Erick Lindgren and Patrik Antonius, Buffer finished second in that contest, losing in heads-up play to Howard Lederer.
Buffer has appeared on Friends. His appearance was in Season 3 Episode 24 "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion".
Buffer has also appeared in one episode of the HBO series Entourage in the episode entitled "Gotcha!" He appears to be announcing an exhibition fight for Chuck Liddell's charity.
As of September 2010, the Luxor Las Vegas has named their Poker room after Bruce Buffer.
At the World Series of Poker 2010 main event final table Bruce Buffer was given the honor to start the final table with the poker phrase "Shuffle up and deal!"
Bruce Buffer is the host of his own radio show, "It's TIME!", featured on the Sherdog Radio Network. He frequently interviews guests, both inside and outside of the Mixed Martial Arts world. The show features a segment entitled "The Buffer 180°," when people call in either to talk about MMA or ask Buffer for his advice on certain topics. The show is co-hosted by TJ De Santis.