Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten (born February 24, 1965) is the Mixed Martial Arts expert, three time Undefeated Pancrase champion and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion. Born in Tilburg, Holland, Bas Rutten started training martial arts when he was 14, taking karate and taekwondo. Succesfull career in competitive martial arts brought Rutten extreme popularity in Japan where he was known as "The King of Pancrase". In the United States, Rutten fought Kevin Randleman for the UFC title where he won before eventually retiring.

Bas Rutten calls himself "El Guapo" (The Handsome) and is known for a characteristic trade mark, "The Rutten Jump" which he performed in the ring every time he won the fight. Starting as a good striker and later on learning submission, Rutten implemented a well balanced mixture of many techniques.

Bas Rutten lives in Los Angeles, he is married and has three daughters. Rutten is now involved in movie projects and teaching at martial arts seminars. He is the founder of Bas Rutten Academy and an author of "Bas Rutten's Big Books of Combat".

External links

• Bas Rutten's Web Site
• Exclusive interview with Bas Rutten at Fightingmaster.com