Bruce Buffer is an American professional mixed martial arts ring announcer, known for his role as the official octagon announcer for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.
He was born on May 21, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Bruce is also an actor and producer, having appeared in movies like Road House (2024), Here Comes the Boom (2012) and Holmes & Watson (2018).
He is the half-brother of boxing and professional wrestling ring announcer Michael Buffer, with whom he co-founded The Buffer Partnership, a company focused on licensing and appearances.
Bruce is known for his catchphrase ‘It’s time!’, which he announces before the main event of a UFC card.
He holds a second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and has fought as a kickboxer.
In addition to his UFC announcing duties, Bruce hosts the ‘IT’S TIME!’ Podcast with TJ Desantis, covering current events, world topics, and interviews with celebrities, UFC fighters and show promoters.
He also offers personalized championship introductions for fans, which can be ordered through his website.
| Net worth | $12 million |
| Profession | MMA ring announcer |
| Date of birth | May 21, 1957 |
| Nationality | American |
Martial arts background
Bruce initially studied judo, earning a green belt, before transitioning to Tang Soo Do in Malibu, California.
Under the guidance of Norris’ students, he achieved a second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.
Bruce’s interest in martial arts expanded to kickboxing in his early 20s, where he demonstrated above-average skills but had to retire at 32 due to concussions.
Despite retiring from active participation, he remained involved in the Southern California martial arts scene as a ringside announcer, honing his skills and eventually becoming the official octagon announcer for the UFC in 1996.
Net worth
Bruce an estimated net worth of $12 million.
His primary sources of income include hosting events, sponsorships and brand endorsements.
Bruce is the face of the gaming company Fanduel and is also associated with an American Whisky company named Puncher’s Whisky.
He makes an estimated amount of $50,000 per UFC fight and $100,000 for special UFC events.
Bruce has been the official octagon announcer for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events since 1996 and has become an integral part of UFC events, known for his energetic and captivating style of delivering announcements.
Additionally , his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own company called The Buffer Partnership, which focuses on brand partnerships, sponsorships and event hosting.
Bruce’s strong presence and influence in the MMA community have made him an attractive partner for various brands and organizations.
UFC fights payday
Bruce typically earns between $50,000 to $100,000 per UFC event, including both regular events and special pay-per-view fights.
His income is not limited to UFC events but also extends to private events, television shows, video games and slot machines.
The Buffer Partnership, founded by Bruce and his brother Michael, manages their diverse revenue streams, with Bruce serving as the President and CEO of the company.
Apart from his earnings as a UFC announcer, Buffer has diversified his income through various avenues, which contributes to his overall earnings.
Endorsement deals
Bruce has endorsed several companies in the past, including The Buffer Partnership, which promotes his business through licensing and appearances.
He has also endorsed King and Bay, a men’s business suit company that he wears during his appearances in the Octagon.
Additionally, Bruce is sponsored by FanDuel, a gaming company that offers daily fantasy sports, sportsbooks, horse race betting, and online casinos.
He is also associated with Pucher’s Chance Whiskey, a liquor company available in major states in the United States.
Furthermore, Bruce Buffer has endorsed Dave & Buster’s, a chain restaurant that sponsors the UFC.
His strong presence in the MMA community and his role as the official Octagon announcer for the UFC have likely led to lucrative sponsorship agreements.
The Buffer Partnership
The Buffer Partnership was founded by Bruce and Michael, who are both well-known figures in the world of combat sports.
Michael is famous for his catchphrase “Let’s get ready to rumble” and his role as a ring announcer in boxing.
The brothers founded The Buffer Partnership to strengthen their family bond and to work together in the combat sports industry.
The partnership has been successful, with both Michael and Bruce earning significant income from their announcing work.
The Buffer Partnership has also expanded beyond announcing, with Bruce appearing in movies and acting as an expert in mixed martial arts (MMA) through his radio program “It’s time.”
In addition to their work in combat sports, The Buffer Partnership is also involved in ecological riverfront design, as evidenced by their inclusion in a PDF document from Chicago State University on the topic.
UFC career
Buffer’s journey in the UFC began in 1996 when he joined as the official octagon announcer and quickly established himself as a charismatic and engaging personality, captivating audiences with his energetic style and signature move, the ‘Buffer 180’.
He announced the preliminary fight on UFC 8, and later hosted all fights at UFC 10.
In 1997, Bruce appeared as himself on the Season 3 Episode 24 of the Friends sitcom, The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion.
At the stage he convinced UFC owner Robert Myer to hire him as the full-time ring announcer, starting with UFC 13.
Bruce uses catch phrases in his UFC announcing, and also has a signature move called the ‘Buffer 180’, in which he motions directly across the Octagon before quickly spinning 180° and pointing to the corner being introduced.
He performs 45° and 90° turns before most ‘Buffer 180s’, but reserves the ‘Buffer 180’ for main events and co-main events.
At UFC 100,… after months of encouragement from Joe Rogan, Bruce performed a ‘Buffer 360’ during his introduction of Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar.
He also performed the ‘Buffer Bow’ exclusively for Randy Couture and Anderson Silva, bending down as a knight would to a king in the accolade.
His authoritative voice and dynamic announcing style have made him a sought-after announcer in the world of mixed martial arts Television and Film Appearances.
Bruce has made appearances in TV shows and movies, further expanding his presence beyond the octagon.
His recognizable voice and enthusiastic delivery have made him a popular figure in the entertainment industry.
Other gigs
Bruce has announced many other MMA promotions internationally including K-1 events and also the 2008 Joel Casamayor vs. Michael Katsidis boxing event on HBO.
He also announces for the biannual ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) submission wrestling tournament.
Bruce is a world-rated poker player on the professional circuit.
He has appeared on ESPN’s World Series of Poker Main Event show playing World Champion Chris Moneymaker at the televised table in 2007 and in 2005 where he placed 6th.
Bruce appeared on an MMA versus poker pro match during the sixth season of the NBC show Poker After Dark along with Buffer outlasted them as well as pros Erick Lindgren and Patrik Antonius to finish second, losing in heads-up play to Howard Lederer.
At the World Series of Poker 2010 main event final table he was given the honor of starting the final table with the poker the Luxor Las Vegas has named their poker room after Bruce Buffer.
In 2007 Bruce appeared on the HBO comedy-drama series Entourage, in the episode entitled, Gotcha!, announcing an exhibition fight for Chuck Liddell’s charity.
On March 20, 2012, he was featured on the Comedy Central show Tosh.0.
Bruce appeared as himself in the 2015 film Hot Tub Time Machine 2.
He also appeared as one of the fight fans alongside his brother Michael in the 2018 mystery comedy movie Holmes & Watson.Â
Bruce is also the official announcer for the World Series of Beer Pong.
He was featured as an announcer pack in the multiplayer online battle arena game Smite and class-based first person shooter.
Bruce is also an unlockable player character in the fighting game EA Sports UFC 3.
He provided announcing on the UFC-inspired song, It’s Time, by American & Dutch DJs Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke.
In October 2019 the gaming developer Relax Gaming released a new video slot machine with Buffer called, It’s Time.
Personal life
Bruce was married to Annie Buffer, and they had a son named Dougie Buffer.
However, they divorced in 2015.
