Bruce Buffer, the iconic voice of the UFC, revealed that he has no plans to step away from the octagon anytime soon, suggesting it could be at least a decade before he considers retirement.
“I’m not retiring,” Buffer emphasized in a recent interview with the New York Post. “I’m in this for 10 plus years. Trust me.”
Having just celebrated his 29th anniversary with the organization on February 16, 2023, Buffer remains as passionate as ever about his role announcing UFC events. Unlike fellow UFC mainstay Joe Rogan, who now primarily works pay-per-view events, Buffer continues to handle both pay-per-views and Fight Nights, maintaining a grueling travel schedule.
“It’s my passion,” Buffer explained. “If you can monetize your passion, then you’re living a lifestyle, you’re not just going to work.”
Buffer, who joined the UFC in 1996, described his ongoing enthusiasm for the job: “I go out there and give every bit of passion, every bit of lung power, every bit of energy I can to the fighters and the fans because the show’s not about me. It’s about the fighters and it’s about the fans.”
His pre-fight routine involves extensive preparation. On event days, Buffer focuses on getting adequate sleep, followed by a workout, a hearty breakfast, and meditation. He spends three to five hours preparing his announcement cards but never rehearses, preferring to deliver an organic performance fueled by the crowd’s energy.
“I either jump or do whatever. I don’t know what I’m going to do till I do it,” Buffer said of his famous octagon announcements. “I want to get out there and be completely organic.”
Buffer, who holds three black belts in martial arts, maintains that every night in the octagon is like his first night, as he constantly feels the need to prove he deserves the job.
“Every night I walk out into that octagon, I have to prove to myself, the fans, the powers that be, Dana and everybody else, and the fighters that I deserve this job,” Buffer said.
Looking ahead to UFC 314 in Miami this weekend, featuring the featherweight title bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, Buffer expressed excitement for what he describes as a potentially “loaded” card.
When asked about potentially stepping away from his role, Buffer made it clear that fans can expect to hear his signature “It’s time!” catchphrase echoing through UFC arenas for years to come.
