Bruce Buffer has been the UFC's announcer and an iconic figure in the sport for more than a decade. He has captured the attention and admiration of fans by the unique style and enthusiasm that he brings every single time he steps into the octagon. 

His path to the UFC started when he was managing the career of his half-brother, Michael Buffer, and got him a spot as the announcer for UFC's 5, 6 and 7. Contractual obligations then prevented him from renewing Michael's contract, so Bruce renegotiated for himself to announce instead. He then got his first UFC announcing gig at UFC 8, and the rest is history.

Aside from working for the UFC, Bruce Buffer has a lot of stuff going on that not many fans know about. He's also a businessman, a manager, and a professional poker player. He also surfs and is trained in several martial art forms. He has trained in Muay Thai for several years, has a black belt in Tang Soo Doo, and has backgrounds in judo and jiu jitsu. He has participated in a few smokers a couple of years back, and as we found out recently when he spoke to Luke Thomas, also had the better in an exchange with UFC welterweight Frank Trigg.

The biggest card in UFC history is coming up and I got to ask a few questions to one of the permanent icons in the sport, the "Veteran Voice of the Octagon", Bruce Buffer:

Anton Tabuena: I'm sure you've gotten your share of unique experiences and milestones throughout the years, but what do you consider as your most memorable moment in the UFC?

Bruce Buffer: I have seen so many amazing moments over the last 14 years that I have forgotten more than I can remember. This is why the UFC is so great and so pure because there are so many great moments that when I think I just saw the greatest fight ever another great fight comes along to make that night monumental. Therefore every night is memorable to me.

Anton Tabuena: The one thing that a lot of people don't know about you, is your skill and love for Poker. How did your poker career start and how is it going now?

Bruce Buffer: My father taught me how to play poker when I was 8 years old and I first started playing cash games with my brother Brian when I was 14. We made pretty good money back then and it paved the way for the high stakes tournament and No Limit poker cash game world's in which I play now. I can tell you every day I played, where I played and how much I profited or lost plus the net income for the year on any given day. I treat it like a business and I do quite well, which is a good thing, thanks to the Poker God's.

Anton Tabuena: It is evident in your enthusiasm and in the way you announce fights, that you are really enjoying what you are doing. How big an MMA fan are you? How much MMA outside the UFC do you watch and how often do you visit MMA sites/blogs?

Bruce Buffer: I am a huge passionate fan of MMA but mainly the UFC... honeslty except for certain fights, I only watch the UFC as when not traveling or announcing for the UFC I have so many other business endeavors that I like to relax, workout, enjoy my hobbies, surf, plus have fun or socialize outside the MMA world. I like to visit MMA.tv, Sherdog.com where my radio show is on Tuesdays and other sites for the news and updates of the UFC and all going on in MMA.

Anton Tabuena: Lots of fans have been clamoring for the "Buffer 360" to happen in UFC 100. So far you have been non-committal on doing it, but with the event fast approaching, have you decided on it yet? ...Will me begging for it, convince you to push through with the 360? (cause I'll take one for the team and do what it takes! haha)

Bruce Buffer: The "360" is something I can do but will not decide to do until that exact millisecond I do or do not do it in front of 12,000+ screaming fans and millions watching on TV as it cannot be rehearsed, it has to be felt and performed by me only if I deem the moment to be right... If I think about it or rehearse it, then it will not work. This is the way I have always announced and I am not about to change what works for me. Although if there is ever an event worthy of such a risky move, it is UFC 100 and if I do it, I will never do it again.

Anton Tabuena: You have a background in several Martial Art Forms like Muay Thai, Judo, Tang Soo Doo, and a bit of Jiu Jitsu. If you would take on Joe Rogan or Dana White in an MMA match, what would your strategy be and how do you think would you fare against them?

Bruce Buffer: For Joe it would be to stand up and keep him at the end of my punches and kicks because if he got me on the ground I'm done... Joe is a very highly and diversely trained individual and a very tough man... it would make for a good pay per view sales but my fighting days are over unless backed into a corner and is the only way out, but I'm always prepared.

Dana is also a very tough man who I feel is more adept at boxing and striking... I would also keep him outside and wear him down with multiple kicks followed up with punches and neither of us would want to go to the ground. Be assured that the man behind the UFC is one tough monkey who I'm sure is very street smart coming from South Boston where you have to be tough to survive in that environment... Dana will never back down from a fight because it is in his blood... I definitely know a real street tough man when I see one and he is the real deal.

Anton Tabuena: Thanks again for making the time. Anything else you want to add or say to your fans in closing?

Bruce Buffer: Thank you Anton... Yes I would like to invite everyone to read my blog at www.BufferZone.net and also come to Sherdog.com and listen to my radio show called "IT"S TIME!" live on Tuesdays at 2:00 PST/5:00 EST... Listen, laugh and call as we talk about everything in life you want to talk about in and out of the Octagon. Cheers to all the great fans of MMA and the UFC!