Bruce Buffer out of UFC 267 due to COVID-19, first numbered event missed since 1996
UFC Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer is out of this weekend’s UFC 267 due to COVID-19, his first numbered UFC event missed since 1996.
MMAjunkie.com was the first to report that Buffer did not make the trip to Fight Island on Abu Dhabi for UFC 267. In his place, Joe Martinez will be the Octagon announcer for the event. Incredibly, this ends a streak of 25 years of Buffer doing the in-cage announcing for numbered UFC cards. It is remarkable that he had done so many consecutive events in a row, said to be 255, before he finally got sick and couldn’t make it to work. Knowing Buffer, he likely would have wanted to continue working on his assignment even though he wasn’t feeling well, but given the protocols surrounding COVID-19, he wasn’t going to be able to make the trip.
UFC president Dana White commented on Buffer’s absence at the event, confirming that he had to withdraw due to contracting COVID-19. White also noted that Buffer is feeling better already and is recovering at home.
“Buffer got COVID-19. He didn’t want to make this trip. He’s home relaxing and recovering from COVID-19,” White told reporters at the UFC 267 pre-fight press conference.
The hope is that Buffer will be able to make his return next weekend at UFC 268, which is in New York. It is unfortunate that Buffer was not able to make it to Abu Dhabi for this event, but all great streaks come to an end eventually. While fight fans are obviously going to be disappointed that Buffer won’t be introducing the athletes this Saturday night, at least the promotion has a suitable replacement for him in Martinez, who has been busy doing the in-cage announcing duties during recent UFC events at the Apex.
Where do you rank Bruce Buffer among the greatest combat sports ring or cage announcers of all time?
