Longtime Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer reflected on his latest viral slip-up on the mic at UFC Seattle, when he announced the wrong winner.
Over three decades of the UFC’s rise to prominence, longtime Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer is one of the longest-tenured personalities on UFC broadcasts. He made his announcing debut in 1996 at UFC 8, and is known for his own signature ‘Buffer 180’ move while setting the scene for marquee bouts.
Despite being one of the most popular commentators in sports, Buffer still has his off nights. At times, he mispronounces fighter names and reads incorrect official decisions.
One such moment took place earlier this year at UFC Seattle after heavyweights Tyrell Fortune and Marcin Tybura battled in a three-round war. Buffer initially announced that Tybura, a longtime UFC vet, won the undercard fight by unanimous decision, to a stunned Fortune and crowd at Climate Pledge Arena.
The problem? The judges scored the fight in Fortune’s favor, not Tybura’s. As Fortune left the Octagon with his team, he had to pull a U-turn and walk back to the Octagon as he found out that Buffer announced the incorrect result.
Buffer looked visibly irked by his mistake in the Octagon, despite Daniel Cormier and others finding humor in the moment. For the first time since the incident, Buffer has opened up on the blunder and expressed serious regret.
Bruce Buffer publicly apologizes to Tyrell Fortune after UFC Seattle slip-up
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Buffer was asked about the incident at UFC Seattle and what went wrong.
What happened to Tyrell Fortune yesterday I think has happened atleast 50 times when I bet on a fighter and they lose by split decision
I think they say “fugggggit about it” to not embarrass Bruce Buffer (White Morgan Freeman)
— Marlo Stanfield. (@AAOnline94) March 29, 2026
“Well, I mean, I’m my own worst critic, of course, and I don’t put blame on anybody else,” Buffer said. “I’m the messenger, I’m the one that delivers it – whether there was some confusion at the commissioner’s desk beforehand or whatever, not even worth talking about.
“Where I feel bad is that the moment I gave the fighter who thought he won, versus the moment I gave the fighter who thought he lost and then eventually won: For that, I’m dearly sorry…
“I have so much respect, and I’m so honored to be able to announce these amazing Octagon warriors,” Buffer continued. “I never want to lessen any moment in their lives, I only want to take them to the next level and heighten it as much as possible. So for that, I apologize, and onward and upward.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Despite the incident, Buffer’s resume remains unmatched, as he remains one of the most important personalities in UFC history. Luckily, it’ll be a while until fans watch UFC main events without Buffer inside the cage.
What is your favorite Bruce Buffer UFC fighter intro? Let us know in the comments!