Bruce Buffer to serve as announcer for UFC Fight Night Manila

MANILA, Philippinea – Renowned announcer Bruce Buffer will be part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first live event in the country on May 16 at the 20,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Kenneth Berger, the company’s executive vice president and general manager in Asia, publicly confirmed the 57-year-old arena barker’s inclusion during the UFC Fight Night 66 on-sale press conference on Tuesday, March 10 at Solaire Resort & Casino’s Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.

“Yes, he will be here,” Berger revealed.

There are some instances that Buffer is unavailable for an overseas show as this was the case when the promotion tapped Joe A. Martinez to host its inaugural trip to Singapore in January 2014.

Buffer is known for his trademarked catchphrase “It’s time!” and the signature move “Buffer 180” where he motions directly across the cage before quickly spinning 180 degrees and pointing to the corner being introduced.

The veteran voice of UFC’s Octagon is also the half-brother of famous boxing announcer Michael Buffer, who popularized the line “Let’s get ready to rumble!” and his distinct announcing style in which he rolls certain letters and adds other inflections to a fighter’s name.

UFC Fight Night 66 is headlined by a featherweight super-fight between Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar.

Five Filipino combatants have been booked by the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization to compete on the same fight card.

Mark Eddiva battles Alex White in a featherweight match-up, while his teammate Roldan Sangcha-an aims to claim his first UFC triumph by squaring off with Guamanian flyweight Jon delos Reyes.

Meanwhile, Fil-Am standouts Phillipe Nover and Nolan Ticman are also slated to have their respective homecoming fights.

On the other hand, Mark Muñoz was recently added to UFC Fight Night 66 and stressed that he is ready to hang up his gloves for good regardless of the outcome of his bout against English middleweight Luke Barnatt.

Tickets to UFC’s maiden visit in the fight capital of the Southeast Asian region are now available at all outlets of SM Tickets.– Rappler.com