Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three-time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22-fight unbeaten streak (21 wins, 1 draw). As a fighter, one of his favorite tactics was the liver shot (both punch and kick), and he popularized its use in MMA. Rutten has beaten many MMA champions over the course of his career, including wins over UFC champions Frank Shamrock, Kevin Randleman, Guy Mezger and Maurice Smith, and wins over King of Pancrase world champions Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki.
Rutten is known for his charisma and has capitalized on his celebrity since retiring from fighting in 1999. He has worked as a color commentator in several MMA organizations, including Pride, and is co-host of Inside MMA.
He has appeared in numerous television shows and movies, including Martial Law, Freedom, The King of Queens, 18 Wheels of Justice, Shadow Fury, The Eliminator, and the Kingdom of Ultimate Power. He has a cameo appearance in the Grand Theft Auto IV, the video game.
He’s also published books and DVDs: Bas Rutten’s Big Book of Combat volume 1 and 2, Big DVDs of Combat, Lethal Street Fighting, MMA Workout, Superior Free Fight Techniques, Extreme Pancrase, Training with Bas Rutten. www.bodyactionsystem.com. He coaches MMA and has authored several instructional materials.
The Tale of The Tape
Born: February 24th 1965 in Tilburg, Netherlands. He now resides in California, USA.
Nickname: El Guapo (The Handsome One)
Measurements: Height 6'1" [186 cm]; Weight 205 pounds [93 kg].
Fight record: 28 wins - 4 losses - 1 draw.
Titles: 3 times King of Pancrase, UFC heavyweight champion.
Fighting style: His hybrid style incorporates equally stand up and grappling aspects and the make-up of his stand-up system could be described as a combination of Karate, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo.
