Bruce Buffer first announced a UFC event for the first time on February 16, 1996, at UFC 8 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico; that was the David vs. Goliath event, headline by Ken Shamrock vs. Kimo Leopoldo. 25 years later he’s going stronger than ever.

During a recent appearance on BJPenn.com’s Just Scrap Radio, Buffer talked about the future and past.

I always give 150 percent every time I walk into the Octagon,” said Buffer to Cole Shelton for BJPenn.com. “I’ve said it many times, every time I walk out on Saturday, those are the nights I have to prove I deserve the job. When I am there with no audiences with two great warriors in Stipe and DC, even when there are 50 thousand people in an arena, when the introduction happens it is just me and the fighter. Just enhance the moment.

Many years ago, journalist and BJJ black belt Frank Curreri aptly compared Bruce to his half-brother, boxing announcer Michael Buffer.

“if Michael Buffer is a fine bottle of Bordeaux, then Bruce Buffer is a shot of Jack Daniels,” wrote Curreri. Now 63, Buffer works to keep his voice strong.

Don’t do anything to damage it. Don’t smoke, just take care of it like you take care of your body, he explained. My throat is my work tool so I just do the basics and don’t abuse it.

I’m very humble about it all. I’m all about passion, everything I do is with a passion that is the reason why I announce the way I do. When that passion starts to fade, which is not my case, then yes that is the time I will probably announce it is my time to retire. But, I would say you are stuck with me for at least another 10 years. I’m in great shape and stay in great shape. I’m lucky to do what I do.

Buffer turned his brother’s “Ready to Rumble” catchphrase into a worldwide success. He’s now working on Punchers Chance bourbon, which is expected to debut in September.

I have been working on this for over a year, it is the finest bourbon on the market,” said Buffer. “I say that very strongly, there are other fine bourbons, this is a 60 dollar that will retail for 34 dollars. It will be in eight states to start and we will really blow it up next year. It is a very big project and I’m excited about it. We secured roughly 50 to 100,000 barrels of the [best] Kentucky bourbon you can get. It is coming out. The bottles alone are four pounds, that is the quality of the glass.

I’m very excited about it. Punchers chance. I know you love the name, but it is all about one punch can change the fight, your life. It is all about the underdog, I have always been about the underdog. I’ve been an underdog and got on top and I’ve suffered the knockdowns.

Buffer was asked for his favorite memory.

It is hard to pinpoint one,” he said. “You think of UFC 100 and the introduction on Brock Lesnar. UFC 200 which was a historical moment for the UFC. Stephan Bonnar-Forrest Griffin which put the UFC back on the map. There are so many moments.”