Bruce Buffer's incredible iron man streak comes to an end this weekend

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A legendary UFC run will come to an end this weekend.

Bruce Buffer has been the Octagon PA announcer for every numbered UFC event since UFC 13 on May 30, 1997.

Yes, 1997!

That event took place in Augusta, Ga., and ended with Guy Mezger submitting Tito Ortiz in the main event.

Well, Buffer’s amazing 24-year streak comes to an end on Saturday because he got COVID. Womp womp.

Now, technically, this isn’t a pay-per-view in America, but it’s still very significant because Buffer has been such a mainstay for all numbered events.

I reached out to the man himself to see how he’s feeling, and this is what he said:

“Thanks for reaching out. I just finished my 14-day quarantine and feeling like myself again and will be ready to roar the roof off Madison Square Garden next week.

“My 24-year-plus Cal Ripken streak is over but doubt it will ever be beaten. Like Dana said, it would take a bullet to keep me out of the Octagon, but COVID got me first.”

The very capable and talented Joe Martinez will replace Buffer, Dana White announced.

Now, originally, Buffer told me this will be the first numbered event he misses since UFC 8 in 1996. But then MMAJunkie.com reporter Mike Bohn told me it will be his first miss since UFC 11.

I went back to Buffer to gain clarity:

“UFC 8 I did prelims,” he said. “UFC 10 full show. And then UFC 13 non-stop. Covid does affect memory, I guess. LOL.”

I’m very glad to hear he’s feeling better. Buffer was one of my very first guests on my Syracuse University student combat radio show, The Main Event, back in 2001. No joke.

He has always gone out of his way to be kind to me — and everyone else, for that matter — and will forever be a part of the fabric of the sport.

Looking forward to seeing him where he belongs, right in the center of the Octagon, next weekend at UFC 268.

Here’s a nice tribute to our old friend Bruce, courtesy of BT Sport: