Bruce Buffer, official voice of the octagon plans unprecedented tribute to Alex Pereira and rules out retirement
Expectations are growing for Alex “Poatan” Pereira’s next challenge, who will step into the Octagon at the UFC Casa Branca event to fight for the interim heavyweight title against Frenchman Ciryl Gane. During this highly anticipated night of fights, iconic announcer Bruce Buffer plans to make a historic and exclusive announcement to honor the trajectory of the São Paulo athlete.
This promise was made by the arena veteran himself. During an interview with ESPN, the official voice of Ultimate assured that honors of this level are intended strictly for competitors who have proven their absolute value, also highlighting that their performances on the microphone come naturally, without any type of prior script.
The presenter explained that the iconic introduction “The one and only” came out of his mouth on a mere three occasions throughout his career. He prefers to save these exact words to ensure that, when spoken, they carry monumental weight and do not lose their impact through banal repetition.
So far, only Irish Conor McGregor and North American Jon Jones have received this vocal deference, but the Brazilian will be the next to hear the select catchphrase upon his return to the cage. The announcer justified the choice by highlighting the impressive achievements of the São Paulo native, who has already won belts in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions and is now looking to make history in the 120 kg division, something that motivates the spontaneous tribute created in the heat of emotion.
Still in the chat with the sports channel, the master of ceremonies delved into his memories to talk about the strong bond he built with several stars born in Brazil, making a point of praising the pioneers who helped pave the way for mixed martial arts.
The North American reported having a huge collection of experiences alongside Brazilian fighters. Although he recognizes the particularity of each individual, he made a point of paying homage to absolute legends, citing the unparalleled legacy of Anderson Silva, the bravery of the brothers Rodrigo Minotauro and Rogério Minotouro, in addition to the historical importance of Wallid Ismail in the early days of the sport.
Another exalted name was Charles do Bronx, whose magical abilities impressed the announcer recently during the 326th edition of the event. The veteran made clear his appreciation for all the competitors from the South American country and took the opportunity to recall memories of a trip to Brazilian territory more than twenty years ago, when he was amazed by the surreal energy in the stands.
The professional recalled that, around 2003, he arrived in the country for a show that broke a long hiatus of events in the region, being surprised by an entire arena shouting his classic catchphrase “It’s time” in unison. Hearing thousands of Portuguese-speaking people chanting his phrase in English was an emotional milestone that he carries to this day.
He highlighted that he is completely clear about the unbridled passion that the public in Brazil has for the organization and its local idols, from the era of Lyoto Machida and “Spider” to the current generations. This admiration extends behind the scenes, including technicians and long-time partners like Wallid Ismail, whom he calls his brother due to the countless battles they fought together.
The affectionate treatment and respect he receives from fans whenever the Ultimate team lands on national soil were classified as extraordinary by the presenter. He confessed to loving the experience of working in front of such a vibrant audience and, taking advantage of the space on television, he decided to risk phrases in the local language to send a direct message to his admirers.
Addressing the cameras, the master of microphones stated that words are not enough to return all the support, applause and positive vibes he has always received, whether working inside the octagon or just walking as a tourist through the Brazilian metropolises he had the privilege of exploring.
In the communicator’s view, Brazil’s fans occupy the top of the global ranking when it comes to devotion to sport and hospitality towards the professionals involved. To end this part of the statement, he gave a resounding “thank you very much” without an accent, wishing the audience a life full of achievements, health and constant joy.
Using his own philosophy of life, he advised spectators to live intensely, distributing applause and banishing fear from everyday life, always in the search for personal excellence. The message was concluded with yet another sincere thank you in Camões’ language.
About to complete seven decades of life and working uninterruptedly in the company since 1996, the legendary announcer assured the reporter that hanging up the microphone is not an option at the moment, setting a personal goal to announce the fights of the historic 400th edition of Ultimate. Only a drastic change in his feelings for work could hasten his departure from the scene.
The veteran described his routine as a true blessing, remaining humble in the face of his prominent position. He revealed that he wakes up every day breathing the atmosphere of the fights and feeling an immeasurable joy for being the voice that ignites the arenas, a state of mind that he intends to preserve for a long time, dispelling any rumors about imminent retirement.
The centennial milestone of the franchise’s fourth hundred numbered events is already fixed in your mental calendar. The professional reiterated old promises, saying that he will remain in the center of the cage as long as his body and mind allow him to deliver the same explosion of energy and passion that fans have become accustomed to seeing in each broadcast.
Its main mission continues to be to raise the morale of the gladiators who risk everything on the mat and guarantee an unforgettable show for those who buy tickets or watch from home. The master of ceremonies concluded by stating that goodbye will only happen on the day the internal fire goes out, but, given the current scenario, this passionate flame for MMA only grows with each new event.
