They say, “With age comes a lot of wisdom.” While that may be true, age often brings its own set of challenges — cognitive decline, slower processing, memory lapses, and physical wear and tear that spares no one. Even the UFC’s legendary 67-year-old announcer Bruce Buffer isn’t immune. Remember his recent debacle at the UFC Mexico event? Buffer made a notable mistake during the preliminary fight between Jamall Emmers and Gabriel Miranda. While Emmers clearly won the bout, Buffer mistakenly announced Miranda as the winner. He did try to correct himself, but by then, his mic had already been cut off.

It is safe to say that Buffer, much like Joe Rogan, has long been a staple of the multi-billion-dollar promotion. From humble beginnings to becoming the face behind one of the most iconic catchphrases in combat sports — “It’s time!!!!” Since 1996, he’s been rightfully known as “The Voice of the Octagon.” However, as the years go by, even someone as energetic and seasoned as Buffer is starting to show signs of wear. Many argue that the intensity and energy he brings to each announcement might be putting unnecessary stress on his body. For the unversed, Buffer famously tore his ACL while catering to his duties at UFC 129 way back in 2011. Imagine the intensity!

And this sentiment has been shared by the aforementioned OG in the form of Joe Rogan. Speaking on episode #2283 JRE podcast, Rogan voiced genuine concern. “I’m worried about Bruce Buffer because he puts out so much energy. I don’t want him to die,” he said. The podcaster’s remarks made it clear he’s deeply concerned about the toll the announcer’s intense performances may be taking on his health. That single comment sparked a wave of concern across the MMA community. But not everyone agrees with that take.

Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub pushed back on the criticism during a recent episode of his YouTube show, ‘Extra Thiccc’. Addressing the incident, Schaub and his co-host acknowledged the mishap but also highlighted Bruce Buffer’s longstanding professionalism. The co-host remarked that the announcer “might have messed up before, it’s very rare — like less than a handful or a handful at the most.” Schaub then read through fan reactions to the gaffe — many of which urged Bruce Buffer to retire.

But Schaub stood firm in his support, saying, “It’s tough to be him.” He completely shut down the retirement talk, adding, “No, yeah what the freak—he’s the best.” standing firmly behind the iconic announcer.

Whether it’s age or something else, the UFC and Dana White have remained silent about Bruce Buffer’s future. And rightfully so. Taking shots at a legend over a couple of slip-ups—likely age-related—comes off as disrespectful. It’s easy to forget none other than his half-brother introduced that Bruce to the world of combat sports, Michael Buffer—the legendary boxing voice who also carved out a massive legacy of his own.

Now 80, Michael is even older than Bruce, yet both brothers continue to thrive in the fight game, showing no signs of slowing down. So before diving into speculation, maybe it’s worth taking a step back—and remembering how these two icons came together in the first place.

How did Bruce Buffer meet his brother Michael Buffer?

Bruce Buffer had no idea he even had an older brother — not until he was nearly 32 years old. That all changed one ordinary day while watching television. A lifelong combat sports fanatic, Bruce often found himself captivated by the booming voice and charismatic presence of the iconic ring announcer, Michael Buffer. What he didn’t know, however, was that the man he admired on screen was actually his half-brother.

Michael’s James Bond-like charm and unforgettable voice instantly captivated Bruce. He became a huge fan, completely unaware they shared the same bloodline. But one detail changed everything: Michael’s full name flashed across the screen — Michael Buffer. That surname sent a jolt through Bruce. Could it really be more than just a coincidence?

Reflecting on that moment in an interview with BT Sport, Bruce recalled, “All of a sudden I’m becoming a fan, and then he started putting his name on the TV screen and it said Michael Buffer. I thought, ‘Are you kidding me?'” Opening up about the journey, Bruce shared, “Long story short, my father and I are on a road trip to San Francisco, and by this time, Michael is as famous as the boxers. People are asking me if he’s my brother, and I tell them, ‘No, my brother is Brian…'”

This is when Bruce revealed something truly shocking. “My dad never told me that when he was serving in World War II he had gotten married at a young age, a son was born [on 2 November 1944] and nine months later when he came back they divorced. The last time he saw the child was when he was two-and-a-half. Michael was raised by foster parents under the name of Huber but when he went into the army during the Vietnam war [recruiters] saw his birth certificate said his name was Buffer as he was never formally adopted as Huber.”

The duo finally met in 1989 and have been legends in their respective sports ever since! Fast forward to today, some are calling for the veteran announcer to step away from the mic. While others are rallying behind him, reminding everyone of the legacy he’s built. So, what’s your take? Does Joe Rogan have a point — has Bruce earned a well-deserved break after decades of electrifying crowds? Drop your thoughts in the comments.