MMA Fighter Bios: BAS RUTTEN

BAS RUTTEN

MMA RECORD: 28-4-1

BORN: Tilburg, Netherlands

6’1, heavyweight

One of the most beloved mixed martial arts fighters in the world would have to be Bas Rutten. Not only is he loved for his colorful and infectious personality, but he jovial fighter is also highly adored for his colossal success in the sport. A 3 time King of Pancrase, a UFC champion, and a fighter who went on a 22 fight streak of being undefeated to put his career to a close.

Originally learning Tae Kwon Do and Kyokushin Karate and earning high degree blackbelts in both disciplines, at age 20 Rutten began competing in Muay Thai and was knocking out opponents left and right. Rutten transitioned into pro wrestling and then into submission fighting for the Pancrase organization in Japan, where he would become a 3 time King of Pancrase. Due to lack of experience in the ground game, before filling those out nicely years later, Rutten would lose to Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock and Masakatsu Funaki. In 1996 Rutten avenged his losses to Frank Shamrock and Funaki and would defeat Jason Delucia and Guy Mezger to win his third King of Pancrase title.

Rutten was a heavily sought after prospect in 1998 for the UFC, who recruited him to fight Tsuyoshi Kohsaka at UFC 18. Rutten showed great striking prowess and power as he scored a big knockout win over his Japanese opponent. His next opponent was Kevin Randleman, a bout for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. In a fight which went into overtime, which was used in the UFC at the time, Rutten ended up winning a close decision victory to become the UFC Heavyweight champ.

A list of injuries and doctors orders prevented Rutten for continuing to compete, and the Dutch fighter focused on his acting career in various film and TV roles. He also served as a commentator for the Pride FC organization.

But Rutten’s itch to compete was too much as he reentered the MMA world in May 2006 to fight Kimbo Leopaldo, who ended up having to withdraw from the fight after testing positive for an anabolic steroid. Rutten was replacement Ruben “Warpath” Villareal and looked solid in his strikes and scored a TKO win in round 1took after a series of vicious leg kicks chopped down his heavyweight counterpart. after low kicks left his opponent unable to stand.

Rutten will go down as one of the best strikers the sport has witnessed, and for being a very gregarious and fun loving personality. His patented liver kicks and liver shots won him many fights and many fans across the world.

NO LIMITS

Rutten never went past round 1, as he competed in the non-time-limit events, prior to athletic commission sanctioning of 5 minute rounds in North America.

RUTTEN FACTS

Bas’ longest and shortest fight was against the same opponent. His first fight was just 43 seconds long, and a good 27 minutes was added the second time out.

Shortest Fight—0:43, Ryushi Yanagisawa, 1993

Longest Round–27:35 versus Ryushi Yanagisawa, 1995