UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer tests positive for COVID-19, will miss first PPV in 25 years

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Oct 28, 2021 3:40 PM ET

Saturday's UFC 267 pay-per-view headlined by Jan Blachowicz defending his light heavyweight championship against Glover Teixeira will sound different than normal and, for many who have only followed mixed martial arts since it became mainstream, will represent a first.

Per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, UFC president Dana White confirmed during a press conference that longtime and beloved announcer Bruce Buffer has tested positive for COVID-19 and, thus, isn't at the Fight Island site in Abu Dhabi.

"Buffer got COVID," White said of the 64-year-old. "He didn’t want to make this trip. He’s home relaxing and recovering from COVID."

Joe Martinez, who is no stranger to UFC fans and has worked in Buffer's place in the past, will handle the in-cage duties on Saturday.

Buffer is known for his trademark turns during introductions and his boisterous "It's time!" calls before main events of cards.

As Jack Browne of theScore noted, Buffer had worked 255 straight numbered/pay-per-view UFC events dating back 25 years to UFC 11 held in September 1996.

UFC 268 is scheduled for Nov. 6 and will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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