Bruce Buffer

Bruce Buffer was introduced to his half-brother, boxing and professional wrestling announcer Michael Buffer, after their birth father contacted Michael following a television appearance. The brothers met in 1989 and developed a close personal and professional relationship.

Buffer has never married and has no children. He is godfather to the children of Kristen Greulach, an employee of Buffer Enterprises, and refers to them as his boys.

Buffer began studying martial arts at 13 while living in Philadelphia, where he earned a green belt in judo. After moving with his family to Malibu at 15, he was introduced to Tang Soo Do by two students of Chuck Norris and eventually earned a second-degree black belt.

He began kickboxing in his twenties and competed for about a decade. He stopped competing at 32 after suffering a second concussion.

Buffer announced a preliminary fight at UFC 8 in 1996 and later hosted all the fights at UFC 10. He persuaded UFC owner Bob Meyrowitz to hire him as the promotion's full-time ring announcer, beginning with UFC 13 in 1997. His announcing style became closely associated with the UFC, where he was introduced as the "Veteran Voice of the Octagon."

His best-known phrase is "It's time!", delivered before the main event. He also developed the Buffer 180, a rapid turn across the Octagon followed by a point toward the corner being introduced. At UFC 100, he performed a Buffer 360 while introducing Frank Mir versus Brock Lesnar, after encouragement from Joe Rogan. He has also used the Buffer Bow for Randy Couture and Anderson Silva.

His first major screen appearance came in the Friends episode "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion," in which he played himself as the UFC announcer. Dana White has credited Buffer's professionalism and willingness to adapt with helping him become a lasting part of UFC broadcasts.

Buffer has competed in televised poker, including the 2005 World Poker Tour Invitational at the Commerce Casino, where he finished sixth at the final table. He also appeared on the World Series of Poker Main Event show in 2007 and finished second on Poker After Dark after outlasting several professional and mixed martial arts players. At the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event final table, he was invited to begin play with the phrase "Shuffle up and deal!"

Outside the UFC, Buffer has announced K-1 events, the ADCC submission wrestling tournament and a 2008 HBO boxing match between Joel Casamayor and Michael Katsidis. His other appearances include Entourage, Here Comes the Boom, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, Holmes & Watson, Road House and the video game Destruction AllStars.

After reconnecting with Michael, Buffer became his agent and manager. The brothers formed The Buffer Partnership, expanding their work through licensing and public appearances.