Former Cheltenham student serves as ring announcer for the White House’s UFC Freedom 250 3 months after celebrating his 30th year in the Octagon

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Abington , Cheltenham , Glenside | History , Local News , Sports

June 17th, 2026 | By Ryan Genova

Bruce Buffer, a former student of the Cheltenham School District and a legendary UFC announcer, served as the voice of the UFC Freedom 250 event at the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday.

Buffer attended Cheltenham schools in the 1960s and 1970s before relocating to Malibu, California in 1972. On UFC broadcasts, Buffer is introduced as the “Veteran Voice of the Octagon”. His catchphrase “IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT’S… TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME” has become synonymous with the UFC’s main event.

“It’s going to be a grand experience for everybody,” Buffer told Heavy Sports ahead of the seven-bout event. “It’s like every fight to me, every UFC numbered event, everything is a great night for me. I always treat it as my first night walking in the Octagon to prove to Dana White, the fighters, the fans, and the powers that be that I deserve to be here. Walking out and into the White House on June 14, it’s an honor.”

Approximately 4,300 invited guests—including approximately 1,000 active military alongside politicians, business leaders, and associated dignitaries—were in attendance. Over 85,000 additional fans watched from a public viewing area at the nearby Ellipse. According to ESPN.com, A 160-piece Marine Band played the walkout music for fighters.

President Donald Trump promised the event would be “the greatest show on Earth”, according to Business Insider.

“It was an honor to meet all the U.S. Military personnel, veterans & first responders in attendance at UFC Freedom 250”, Buffer said on X.com after the event.

According to MorningStar.com, luxury menswear brand King & Bay created a commemorative jacket celebrating Buffer’s 30th anniversary with UFC in February.

“I’m honored to celebrate my 30th year of being the UFC Octagon announcer,” Buffer said on X.com. “It’s been an amazing ride from when I first stepped into the Octagon on February 16, 1996 at UFC 8 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to where the UFC is today.”

You can watch Buffer reflect on his career during a recent interview with ESPN below:

You can also watch him announcing the start of Sunday’s fight:

Earlier this month, Buffer introduced the Oakland A’s starting lineup prior to their first game in the Las Vegas Series.

He also handles his legendary brother Michael’s career. Michael was a member of Abington Senior High School’s Class of 1963 and was raised by foster parents in Roslyn. In those days, he was known as Michael Huber.

He went on to become an announcer for professional boxing, wrestling, and other major sporting events, including the NBA and NHL championship finals. A former daytime soap opera television star, Michael has trademarked the five words, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

Bruce and his brother lived on Wistar Drive in Wyncote.

Michael Buffer via Wikimedia Commons
SINGAPORE – JUNE 23: Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer introduces a fighter during the UFC Fight Night event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)


In 1989, the brothers were introduced when their birth father contacted Michael after seeing him on television. By the mid-90s, Bruce had become Michael’s agent and manager. The pair have since worked together to form a company, The Buffer Partnership, which has made millions between them.

Brian played football for the Panthers and is now a retired California police officer. For more on Michael and Bruce’s late-life introduction and partnership, you can read ESPN’s article here. You can also watch this Youtube video:

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Photos: X.com | Screengrab: Facebook | Information partially provided by Chuck Langerman, local historian