Bruce Buffer reveals why Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Alex Pereira received special 'the one, the only' fighter intro

Bruce Buffer has opened up about why he accorded the honor of his special 'the one, the only' fighter introduction to a select few combatants. 

Buffer notably recalled doing the special pre-fight intro for Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Alex Pereira before some of their UFC fights. 

Bruce Buffer reveals reason behind his special Octagon intros for Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Alex Pereira

Bruce Buffer first served as a UFC announcer back in 1996, soon establishing himself as a popular on-screen personality in the MMA organization. He's served, and continues to, as the Octagon announcer for pre-fight and post-fight announcements at major UFC events. 

During a recent conversation with Helen Yee on Helen Yee Sports, Buffer was asked about how he determines which fighter(s) he would accord the honor of receiving his special pre-fight intro, wherein he refers to them as 'the one, the only' followed by their name. For context, Buffer has done so for MMA icons such as Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Alex Pereira. 

Starting off with former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor, Buffer stated: 

"Well, I've only done it three times... Probably, if you look back, I might have done it another time, too. But it all started off really, I mean, we have Conor McGregor; he comes out." 

He recalled that McGregor came from humble beginnings, overcoming considerable financial hardships and ultimately creating immense wealth and a globally-recognized brand. Alluding to the Irishman's fighting accolades, star power, and box office draw transcending fighting and warranting a special intro, he said, "He is a draw. And the way he's built his career, Conor's definitely one and only." 

Additionally, addressing former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Buffer said, "Jon Jones, as most of us agree, is the (MMA) GOAT, is the greatest UFC fighter of all time." 

Buffer pointed out that he's long been friends with "Bones" and even included a chapter about the latter in his biography. 

"The Veteran Voice of the Octagon" then discussed former Glory Kickboxing middleweight and light heavyweight champion and former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Buffer asserted, "His accomplishments and where he's gotten, it came up with 'the one, the only.'" 

Bruce Buffer talks potential future use of his special intro for other fighters

Bruce Buffer further indicated that he's likely to ponder and be quite reserved in regard to giving the special intro honor to other fighters. He implied that using the intro for several fighters does, in a way, deplete its significance. The American MMA personality explained: 

"But in respect to the future, I'm really going to give this some thought. Because if I start calling a lot of fighters 'the one, the only,' right? Then it takes away from what 'the one, the only' really is." 

Furthermore, the 69-year-old expressed his respect for all the men and women stepping inside the Octagon. Buffer highlighted that fighting is a lonely and intimidating experience, which most definitely warrants respect for anyone who competes as a professional fighter. 

Watch Bruce Buffer discuss having given his special intro for special UFC fighters below (*comments at the 8:05-minute mark of the video):