by Bruce Buffer
This book would not have been possible without the vision, determination, and enthusiasm of my agent, Yfat Reiss Gendell, her assistant Erica Walker, and their colleagues at Foundry Literary + Media. My appreciation to the crew at Random House/Crown Archetype—copy editor David Wade Smith, designer Maria Elias, production manager Phil Leung, production editor Patricia Shaw, and Tommy Cabrera, Ellen Folan, and Paul Lamb in publicity/marketing—for their care throughout every stage of publication, and to Julian Pavia, my editor, who coached me through this exciting process and thoughtfully polished my words. Thanks also to Andrew Lear, for pulling it all together.
My friends in the MMA and UFC world deserve accolades for sharing with me so many of the adventures discussed in this book, or giving me the opportunity to have them in the first place. Thanks to Robert Meyrowitz, for allowing me to take my first steps into the UFC Octagon. Sincere thanks to Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Frank Fertitta for your trust and friendship, for being the amazing maverick businessmen you are, and for all you have done for the UFC and our great sport of MMA. Special thanks to Big John McCarthy, Joe Silva, Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogan, Craig Borsari, Lawrence Epstein, Bruce Connel, Al Connel, Anthony Giordano, Marc Ratner, Burt Watson, Sean Shelby, Reed Harris, Jacob “Stitch” Duran, Herb Dean, Thomas Gerbasi, Kirk Hendrick, Greg Hendrick, Tim O’Toole, Donna Marcolini, Liz Hedges, Jennifer Hamilton, Stephen Quinn, Suzy Friton, and everyone in the UFC organization.
I bow respectfully to all the ring and cage fighters I have announced over the years, and especially to the UFC fighters I have had the honor of calling my friends, among them Chuck Liddell, B.J. Penn, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Georges St-Pierre, Tito Ortiz, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Randy Couture, Jon Jones, Urijah Faber, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping, Lyoto Machida, and Anderson Silva. I and everyone in the UFC owe our thanks to UFC fans around the world. If not for your passion and support of MMA and the UFC through the best and worst times, we never would have made it through to the realm of mainstream sports and beyond.
Some superb colleagues and friends have supported me over the years. You have met some of them in the pages of this book, but I thank them here again: my attorney, Mark E. Kalmansohn, as well as Daysi Cano, Yohanna Mejia, Dr. Scott Bateman, Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache, T. J. DeSantis, Samy Phillips, Damian McLawhorn, Flavio de Oliveira, Brad Lecraw, and Alex Cano. My thanks also to my dear friends Gary Randall, Joe Lear, Rosy Marin, and Darby Brakke.
Kristen Greulach—your support, spirit, grace, and professionalism have shaped our companies and taught me so much about love and family; I thank you and your wonderful “team”: Chris, Henry, and Rupert.
Michael Buffer—thank you for believing in my dreams about where I wanted to take your career and your “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” phrase. That trust has paid off for both of us.
Brian Buffer—I know you’d take a bullet for me. Thank you for your love and support and for being one of the last, true White Knights I know.
My wonderful and loving mother and father—for all the worldliness, love, and chivalry you both taught and instilled in me. Walking through life with you has truly been both inspirational and an adventure.
Finally, I thank those living and gone who also helped make me what I am: my uncle John Cappelli, my aunt Betty Cappelli, my grandparents Pat and Mary Carota, and my loving pets, Buff, Bogey, and Rocky.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRUCE BUFFER is known the world over as the official “Veteran Voice of the Octagon” for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), along with many other international mixed martial arts (MMA) and fighting events. He has announced hundreds of events and thousands of fights, and is also known for his exploits as a high-stakes poker player, businessman, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Connect with Bruce Buffer via Twitter (@BruceBuffer) and his website, BufferZone.net.