From the Octagon to the Oval – NASCAR
By: MMAjunkie Staff November 5, 2014 1:00 pm
Veteran UFC announcer Bruce Buffer is taking his talents from the octagon to the oval.
Officials this week announced Buffer will be a special emcee at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Ford EcoBoost 400 on Nov. 16. The season-ending race in NASCAR’s top series, which is slated for the day after UFC 180 in Mexico City, takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla.
As NASCAR closes out its 2014 season, Buffer will introduce the day’s 43 drivers, including the four who are in the running for the season championship. He’ll also introduce the race’s grand marshall prior to the command for drivers to start their engines for the 400-mile race.
It’s a high-profile gig for Buffer, whose segments will be shown on ESPN’s “NASCAR Countdown” race-preview show. The race itself averaged 5.1 million viewers on ESPN in 2013.
Buffer handled similar duties for the 2012 version of the race.
Denny Hamlin is the defending Ford EcoBoost 400 winner, but 2013 defending season champion Jimmie Johnson has already been eliminated from the racing circuit’s “Chase for the Sprint Cup” championship system.
Buffer, dubbed the “Veteran Voice of the Octagon,” has been the UFC’s cage announcer since 1996. In addition to TV, film and radio work, he’s often booked for special events.