In a bizarre turn of events, UFC heavyweight Tyrell Fortune was initially declared the loser by iconic ring announcer Bruce Buffer, only to be summoned back to the Octagon moments later when the error was corrected, securing his first UFC win after a decade-long journey that nearly ended his life in 2012.
The UFC officials needed a re-do for this one.
Almost a decade after making his professional MMA debut, heavyweight Tyrell Fortune won his first UFC match — but cage announcer Bruce Buffer accidentally read off the scores for his opponent, Marcin Tybura.
After Buffer read off Tybura’s scores, Fortune exited the Octagon and made his way toward the tunnel before UFC officials caught the mistake and summoned him back and announced him the winner.
“I was so upset with myself,” Fortune said following the match, according to ESPN. “I felt I didn’t do enough. I was just upset. With two weeks’ notice, I feel like I did a good job, but I also need to come with a better performance next time.”
Buffer apologized for the mix-up while declaring Fortune the winner after fans booed the initial verdict.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the mix-up,” Buffer said. “The scoring is 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 to the winner by unanimous decision, Tyrell Fortune.”
Fortune, a former Division II national champion wrestler, has had a long path to reach the point he is currently at in his career.
He had a near-death experience in 2012, where he was pronounced dead after suffering complications during a weight cut. Fortune eventually went on to make a full recovery. Fortune said of the mixup: “Man, that was an emotional drop and then a high again. Once I was walking out of the Octagon I was just upset and frustrated with myself that I didn’t get the performance that I felt that I could. It was a little upsetting, feeling that I lost. But them having to come back in and get the win and getting my hand raised made everything feel right.”
The Rarity of Announcer Errors in UFC
Bruce Buffer’s mistake is unprecedented in modern UFC history. As the iconic voice of the Octagon, Buffer has announced over 250 UFC events with flawless precision. This incident highlights the human element even in highly scripted moments, raising questions about verification protocols during live broadcasts. The chaos of Fortune walking away, only to be recalled, is a scene rarely witnessed in the meticulously produced world of UFC.
Fortune’s Decade-Long Journey
Tyrell Fortune’s path to his first UFC victory was anything but straightforward. Making his professional debut in 2016, he faced setbacks including the 2012 near-death experience that saw him clinically dead for several minutes. His recovery and return to competition underscore remarkable resilience, turning a potential tragedy into a triumphant moment in Seattle. That he secured this win on just two weeks’ notice adds another layer of grit to his narrative.
Fan and Media Reaction
Social media erupted with clips of the mix-up, with fans expressing disbelief at Fortune’s initial exit and subsequent recall. The incident sparked debates about whether Buffer should have double-checked scores before announcing, though most praised his quick apology and correction. ESPN’s coverage and the UFC’s official video provided immediate clarity, preventing misinformation from spreading and cementing the moment as one of the most unusual in recent UFC memory.
What’s Next for Fortune?
With a win under his belt, Fortune now eyes a higher ranking in the heavyweight division. His performance, despite his self-criticism, earned him respect for stepping in on short notice. Future matchups against ranked contenders could solidify his place in the UFC, while Buffer’s error will likely lead to procedural reviews to prevent recurrences. For Fortune, this win is not just a scorecard correction—it’s validation of a career defined by perseverance.
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