Chad Fishburne RYAN FROM THE 6IX interview on ring announcing

The Chad Fishburne RYAN FROM THE 6IX interview covers how a green-screen reel made with his wife led to a first ring-announcing job in Sweden, why he prepares fighters’ names phonetically, and what he has learned from Bruce Buffer, Michael Buffer and Joe Martinez. Fishburne also discussed his work across MMA, boxing and Muay Thai, and the venues where he hopes to announce.

How did Chad Fishburne become a ring announcer?

Chad Fishburne became a ring announcer after he and his wife made a promotional reel using a green screen and footage from the internet. Someone who found his work on LinkedIn called about an event in Sweden, giving Fishburne his first ring-announcing job and his first trip to the country.

The green-screen reel and the call from Sweden

His wife shot and edited the reel, making it appear as though he was announcing at an event. Fishburne said they used what they had available rather than waiting for footage of him doing a job he had not yet booked. The call from Sweden came unexpectedly; at first, he thought the caller was joking. He then called his wife with the news that they were going.

Preparing names with Sebastian Wendell Martinez

At the event, commentator Sebastian Wendell Martinez helped Fishburne work through fighters’ names before he went on the microphone. The card included Swedish fighters and competitors from elsewhere, so Fishburne wrote pronunciations phonetically. He said he sometimes deliberately misspells a name on his notes because a phonetic version is more useful to him in the moment.

Fishburne went on to work a couple of Muay Thai for Life events in Gothenburg. He remembered the Swedish crowds as passionate and said he enjoyed both the events and the trip.

What did Chad Fishburne say about his ring-announcing career and LFA?

Chad Fishburne estimated that he had announced roughly 60 events across MMA, boxing and Muay Thai since starting ring announcing during the pandemic. He said MMA was bringing him the most calls, but he did not want to limit himself to one combat sport. An LFA assignment in the Canary Islands was another standout trip.

Working across combat sports

Fishburne trained when he was younger and now channels that interest into announcing for other fighters. He said he had even sent his information to sumo promotions, despite knowing less about sumo than the sports he usually works. For him, the opportunity to address a crowd and introduce athletes matters more than sticking to one discipline.

LFA in the Canary Islands

After his trips to Sweden, Fishburne traveled with LFA to the Canary Islands for an event in Spain. He praised the organization and the people he worked with, saying he would welcome another assignment with them. The trip also showed how far the homemade reel and initial outreach had taken his career.

What ring-announcing advice did Chad Fishburne give?

Chad Fishburne’s advice for aspiring ring announcers was to get repetitions onstage and practice improv. His comedy, theater and auto-show experience taught him to become comfortable with a microphone. Before events, he also uses vocal warm-ups and reminds himself to slow down rather than rush through an introduction.

Stage time, improv and pronunciation

Fishburne said the stage does not have to be a fight show to be useful preparation. Speaking at auto shows gave him time in front of audiences, while improv helped build confidence. Vocal exercises and tongue twisters are part of his preparation because a fast delivery can make it easier to trip over words.

Saving energy for the main event

A card can have 10, 12 or 14 fights before the main event, Fishburne noted, so he tries not to spend all his energy early. He wants to give the earlier fights his best while still lifting his delivery for the co-main and main events. He said that is when the crowd hears his trademarked catchphrase. Fishburne put it this way:

it's time for this crowd to get loud

He admires Joe Martinez’s quick delivery but said copying another announcer’s pace would not necessarily suit him. Experience has taught him to work at a speed that lets him say the names clearly.

Which events and career goals did Chad Fishburne discuss?

Chad Fishburne described bookings with Prime Fight Night near Chicago, Peak Fighting Championship in Midland, Texas, and Pikatus Fight Night in Switzerland. He also said he was still building toward larger assignments rather than choosing freely among them. For now, he focuses on improvement, promotion and making each show better for its fighters and crowd.

Prime Fight Night, Texas and Switzerland

Fishburne described Prime Fight Night as a Muay Thai promotion with amateur and professional fights. He also named a November 7 Peak Fighting Championship event at Momentum Bank Ballpark and a Switzerland trip for Pikatus Fight Night, featuring boxing, K1 and Muay Thai. He did not give a year for the November date.

Building a name without taking jobs for granted

Fishburne said he was not yet in a position to pick and choose his work. He described continuous improvement as his approach while continuing to put his name in front of major boxing figures and organizations, including Top Rank. Although he has trademarked his catchphrase as part of his branding, he said fans do not tune in to see him: his job is to engage the crowd and help the fighters.

Travel is also a decision he and his wife make together. She joins him for destinations that appeal to her, but generally skips his Texas trips because she used to live there. Fishburne enjoys visiting Texas himself, particularly Austin for its food.

What did Chad Fishburne say about Bruce Buffer and Michael Buffer?

Chad Fishburne said he contacted both Bruce Buffer and Michael Buffer early in his announcing career. Michael did not reply, while Bruce sent encouraging responses. Fishburne grew up admiring Michael’s work, values Bruce’s energy and places Joe Martinez alongside them among the announcers he most looks to for inspiration.

Bruce Buffer’s replies and Joe Martinez’s influence

The replies from Bruce stood out because, Fishburne said, Buffer had no obligation to answer someone who was just getting started. He tries to learn from both Buffers while developing his own delivery, and also studies Martinez. Earlier in his career discussion, he singled out Martinez’s speed as an example of what extensive experience can make possible.

Mike Kendall and the LFA opportunity

Fishburne has stayed in touch with some fellow announcers, including LFA’s U.S. ring announcer Mike Kendall. He said Kendall was occupied elsewhere when the Canary Islands event came up, opening the assignment for him. Fishburne spoke well of Kendall but was candid that announcers can also compete for the same jobs.

Where would Chad Fishburne most like to announce a fight?

Chad Fishburne’s first choice for a major boxing assignment was Madison Square Garden. He also named London’s O2 Arena and imagined a more unusual event at Mount Fuji. Japan appeals to both Fishburne and his wife for its culture and food, and he said he would want her to join him on that trip.

Madison Square Garden, London and Mount Fuji

Fishburne distinguished between an established boxing venue and a location chosen for its novelty. Madison Square Garden came to mind immediately for a big boxing event; the O2 Arena was another option. Mount Fuji was his idea for something less conventional, though he acknowledged the difficulty of gathering a crowd near its summit.

His interest in destinations extends beyond the events themselves. He and his wife have talked repeatedly about visiting Japan, while his Texas travel often includes looking for food in Austin. When RYAN FROM THE 6IX told him he was in Toronto, Fishburne also named Jim Carrey as a Canadian performer he likes.

Fishburne said boxing was his first love as a viewer, recalling watching Mike Tyson on television. He remains interested in every combat sport he announces and wants his work to help promotions distinguish their shows.

Who is Chad Fishburne?

Chad Fishburne is a professional ring announcer whose work has appeared on DAZN, Triller TV, Fubo Sports and UFC Fight Pass.