Bruce Buffer always adds an extra pinch of spice whenever he introduces the two UFC legends, Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. The “One and Only” tag has always been reserved for these two esteemed athletes, who’ve graced UFC’s Octagon for more than a decade now. But is there anyone else who deserves that title, too? Well, Buffer believes there is, as he opened up about the same during an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports Fancast.

The less we speak about Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, the better because these two gentlemen don’t need any introduction. Both have won belts in two different weight classes and are still going strong well into their late 30s. But apart from them, there is another legend, a former featherweight champion and one of McGregor’s biggest rivals, who has been touted to be one of the best by Bruce Buffer. But interestingly, it’s not Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The Brazilian professional should get special treatment, according to Bruce Buffer

While talking to host Andrew Whitelaw on the ES FanCast Exclusive, Bruce Buffer revealed that Jose Aldo could be next to Conor McGregor and Jon Jones to get the “One and Only” treatment from him. And why not? Aldo is one of the best Brazilian MMA exports ever. Having started his career in 2004, ‘Junior’ racked in only one loss till 2014 and became one of the most feared fighters ever. Aldo remained unstoppable until McGregor defeated him to win the coveted 145-pound strap.

Jose Aldo came out of retirement recently to take on a younger opponent, Jonathan Martinez, at UFC 301, which he won via decision. Bruce Buffer stated that he could have given him the McGregor-Jones treatment. However, he refrained from doing it and instead has reserved the ‘Buffer Bow’ for him when the time comes.

“Jose Aldo, he was just in and I could have done it for him at a point, but I know his career was still moving forward. But Jose Aldo will deserve a bow at a certain point when it is his last fight, as others will, too,” Bruce Buffer revealed during an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports.

Jose Aldo fought out his previous contract with UFC at UFC 301, and he mentioned that a loss could have meant retirement for him, but it didn’t since he won decisively. So there is some time before he gets the special Bruce Buffer treatment. Meanwhile, Bruce Buffer refused to mention more names who deserve the same because he wants it to be a secret.

‘The Voice of the UFC’ wants to surprise fighters

Bruce Buffer doesn’t want to give away whom he thinks deserves special treatment, especially because people will just be anticipating it after he names those fighters, and that, the UFC ring announcer believes, will take away the shine. Buffer claims that the real excitement lies in the surprise and that’s what he aims to do – to make it a special moment for the UFC fighters. He stated, “With all due fairness, I’m gonna hold back on that and I’ll tell you why. [It’s] because I’d like to surprise people when I do it.”

Besides Jose Aldo, the 67-year-old claims that many fighters are working their way to becoming big successes in the UFC, both men and women. As such, they’ll get their dues when the time comes. “But there are so many fine male and female fighters out there that are working, putting their blood, sweat, and tears on the line to get to that point… So I’d like to reserve that for when that moment happens,”
Buffer concluded.

To hear more about this story and many other exclusive UFC tidbits, listen to the EssentiallySports Exclusive FanCast interview with Bruce Buffer.