Bruce Buffer revealed that only three fighters in UFC history have earned his legendary "The One, The Only" introduction: Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Alex Pereira. 🗣️ Buffer explained that the line is reserved for cultural mega-draws and generational icons: McGregor for being the biggest pay-per-view draw ever, Jones for cementing his status as the sport's GOAT, Pereira for his rapid two-division championship triumphs. While Jon Jones is essentially retired, McGregor remains inactive, and Pereira is taking heavy matchups at 205 and heavyweight, Makhachev is actively cleaning out divisions. His dominance is reflected on Kalshi, where traders currently give Makhachev a massive 90% probability of remaining the welterweight champion by the end of the year. 🎥: (@helenyeesports)
UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer says just three fighters in promotion history have earned his signature "The One, The Only" introduction: Conor McGregor, Jon Jones and Alex Pereira.
Buffer explained that the line is reserved for cultural mega-draws and generational icons. McGregor earned it as the biggest pay-per-view draw ever, Jones for cementing his status as the sport's greatest of all time, and Pereira for his rapid championship triumphs in two divisions.
The three names
McGregor, 38, is 22-7-0 and fights out of SBG Ireland. The southpaw lands 5.27 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. He remains inactive.
Jones, 39, is 28-1-0 and stands six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach. He lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and averages 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes. Jones is essentially retired.
Pereira, 39, of Brazil, is 13-4-0 and ranked third at light heavyweight. He trains with Teixeira MMA & Fitness and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, the best accuracy of the three. He is currently taking heavy matchups at 205 pounds and heavyweight.
Why it matters
- The honor puts Pereira, who has the shortest UFC résumé of the three, in the same company as the sport's biggest draw and its most celebrated champion.
- Buffer's criteria are about cultural impact as much as titles. Pay-per-view drawing power, longevity and speed of ascent all factored into his picks.
- With Jones and McGregor sidelined, Pereira is the only one of the trio actively competing.
The conversation also touched on Islam Makhachev, who is actively cleaning out divisions. His dominance is reflected on the prediction market Kalshi, where traders give him a 90 percent probability of remaining welterweight champion through the end of the year.
