Joe Martinez and Bruce Buffer
Joe Martinez will take Bruce Buffer’s place as the ring announcer at UFC 267
A couple of days ago, it came to light that “The Veteran Voice of the Octagon”, Bruce Buffer, will not be the ring announcer at a UFC pay-per-view event for the first time, in almost 25 staggering years.
The news was confirmed by UFC President Dana White (at the UFC 267 pre-fight presser) and Bruce Buffer himself, on social media.
Taking to Instagram, Buffer shared an elaborate video explaining how COVID-19 got the better of him. He is currently in home quarantine.
It is worth noting that Buffer had been the ring announcer for each and every UFC pay-per-view event since UFC 13 which was held on the 30th of May, 1997 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Buffer, however, in his Instagram video, revealed that he would be back, stronger than ever, for UFC 268 at the Madison Square Garden on the 6th of November.
Joe Martinez will take Bruce Buffer’s place at UFC 267. The American usually features in most of the UFC Fight Night events.
UFC 267 will mark his UFC pay-per-view debut.
On Saturday night, history will be made – for the first time in 25 years, someone not named Bruce Buffer will introduce the fighters.
Joe Martinez was born on the 10th of April, 1975 in Apple Valley, California. He graduated from the California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Communications.
Martinez’s first job was in April 1996, when he started out as an announcer for Lake Elsinore Storm Professional Baseball Team. He held on to the role until July 2017.
In February 1997, Martinez became the Public Address Announcer for California State University, and also for the Harlem Globetrotters, three years later in December 2000.
Martinez’s foray into combat sports came in 2004, when he became the featured ring announcer for legendary Boxer, Oscar De La Hoya’s Fox reality television series ‘The Next Great Champ.”
Two years later, Martinez also became the announcer for Guilty Boxing Promotions.
In the same year, in April (2006), Martinez became the Ring Announcer for World Extreme Cagefighting.
In 2010, Martinez became the Ring Announcer for Golden Boy Promotions, a position he has held since then. (for 11 years)
He was also the announcer for Tachi Palace Fights from 2010-2013 and Cage Warriors Fighting Championship.
Martinez has a net worth of approximately $4 million.
Joe Martinez joined the UFC in December 2012 – at least, that is what his LinkedIn experience column states.
However, Martinez’s move to the UFC was imminent right after WEC was merged into the UFC in 2010.
Since then, Martinez has regularly featured as the Ring Announcer during UFC Fight Night events. His bio in LinkedIn reads – “Sometimes Octagon announcer.”
It is worth noting that, Martinez is also the Ring Announcer for Invicta Fighting Championship. He started out in October 2012.
More MMA news
Follow our dedicated MMA page for instant MMA news and updates
