
Bas rutten gym california professional#
Rutten then began his professional mixed martial arts career with the Pancrase organization in Japan. He fought 15 times and won the first 14, all by knockout in the first round. Martial arts career Thai boxing in Holland Īt the age of 20 he started competing in Thai boxing. But years later he attended his high school reunion as a decorated fighter and issued a friendly challenge to fight his former tormentors, which they declined.
Bas rutten gym california skin#
In high school, he was not big and strong and had a skin condition on his hands for which he was bullied occasionally. He then began learning Kyokushin Karate, and earned a 5th degree Black Belt. He was very committed and eventually earned a 2nd degree Black Belt. He eventually started to train in Tae Kwon Do. He started to train boxing at the backyard of an elementary school friend. His conservative parents didn't allow him to pursue it at first. Rutten was born in Tilburg, Netherlands and became interested in martial arts at the age of eleven after watching Enter the Dragon. He also coaches MMA and has authored several instructional materials. He has worked as a colour commentator in several MMA organizations, including PRIDE Fighting Championships, and has appeared in numerous television shows, movies, and video games. Rutten is known for his charisma and has capitalized on his celebrity since retiring from fighting in 1999. He is currently the co-host of Inside MMA on HDNet.Īs 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 other 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's accomplishments include being the fourth UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and for having finished his career on a twenty-two fight unbeaten streak (21 wins, 1 draw).

Eventually Rutten transitioned to mixed martial arts, fighting all of his fights in Pancrase and then making the switch to the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1999.

Born Februin Tilburg, Netherlands, Rutten began his martial arts career as a Thai boxer where he eventually became the number two ranked boxer in Holland. Sebastiaan Rutten, more commonly known as Bas Rutten, and also known as El Guapo, is a retired Dutch-American mixed martial artist and kickboxer.
