Highlights

• Bas Rutten had a successful return to competition in 2006, quickly defeating Ruben Villareal via TKO in the first round at WFA: King of the Streets.
• Rutten's commentary skills made him a fan favorite, working for Pride FC and later joining the WSOF broadcast team as a commentator.
• Rutten helped Mauro Ranallo get his job as a broadcaster for Pride FC's Bushido series and the two later co-hosted the "Rutten and Ranallo" podcast.

Bas Rutten is a well-known personality in the combat sports community. A charismatic Dutchman, he has made his mark in mixed martial arts as a competitor, broadcaster, coach, and ambassador.

A UFC Hall of Famer, Rutten was active in various fields that many fans aren’t aware of. His achievements stretch to multiple media and exceed his fighting record of 28 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.

10 Bas Rutten Retired At The WFA Event

Rutten Won His Last UFC Fight Against Kevin Randleman

Bas Rutten made his return to active competition in 2006. He was scheduled to face former UFC veteran Kimo Leopoldo on July 22 at the World Fighting Alliance: King of Streets event. However, Leopoldo tested positive for banned substances and was replaced by Ruben Villareal. Rutten made quick work of him and won in the first round via TKO.

9 Bas Rutten Worked As A Commentator For Various Promotions

He Has Worked As A Color Commentator For Pride

• Rutten’s oral skills made him a valuable asset for many broadcast teams.

Even during his competition days, Rutten found time to share his knowledge of combat sports behind the broadcast table. A well-spoken Dutchman, he became a fan favorite during his commentary stint for the legendary Japanese promotion Pride FC.

He quit his position in 2006 due to constant traveling to Japan. Much later, he became a member of the WSOF broadcast team. Nowadays, he works as a commentator for the Karate Combat promotion.

8 Rutten Helped Mauro Ranallo Get A Job With Pride FC.

Bas Rutten and Mauro Ranallo Had A Podcast

• A beloved broadcaster, Ranallo got his big break thanks to Rutten.

Mauro Ranallo is another well-known combat sports and professional wrestling commentator. He was brought in as a broadcaster for Pride FC's Bushido series of events on Rutten's suggestion. The two maintain a friendship to this day and even launched a “Rutten and Ranallo” podcast back in 2017.

7 Bas Rutten Was Known As The King Of Pancrase.

He Went On A 22-Fight Unbeaten Streak

• The Dutch kickboxer was one of a few fighters to hold the King of Pancrase Openweight title.

Founded back in 1993, Pancrase served as a foundation for the entire Japanese MMA scene. Rutten was one of the promotion’s originals, making his debut at the premiere event. He won the King of Pancrase title at the 1995 anniversary show by defeating another legendary competitor, Minoru Suzuki.

Rutten became the undisputed champion by beating his future friend, Frank Shamrock, in 1996. In his second defense, he KO’d another legend in Masakatsu Funaki.

6 Rutten Has Trained Various Athletes

Kimbo Slice Was One Of His Students

• “El Guapo” extended a helping hand to various athletes in need.

Mark Kerr was the first one to secure Rutten’s coaching services back in 2000. Rutten helped him prepare for the upcoming Pride Grand Prix 2000 tournament. Kerr defeated Enson Inoue in the opening round, only to lose to Kazuyuki Fujita in the quarterfinals.

The Dutchman was named the team captain of the Anacondas during the IFL 2006 season. Most notably, he coached the famous street fighter, Kimbo Slice, at the beginning of his professional MMA career.

5 Rutten Appeared In Various MMA Video Games

Rutten Has A Cameo In The Video Game Grand Theft Auto IV

• Bas Rutten lent his voice and likeness to different game publishers.

“El Guapo” serves as a mentor and manager in EA MMA Career Mode. The Dutchman helps the player get familiar with the game’s controls and shares helpful tips before the matches.

In THQ’s UFC Undisputed 3, Rutten reunites with his former broadcast partner, Stephen Quadros, to reprise their roles as Pride FC commentators in a game mode that allows players to participate in matches held under the unique rule set. He also appeared in EA Sports’s UFC series of games as a playable character.

4 Bas Rutten Starred In The Movie 'Here Comes The Boom'

He Also Had A Recurring Role In 'Kevin Can Wait'

• “Here Comes the Boom” is a 2012 sports comedy that includes cameos by various MMA fighters and personalities.

The plot follows Scott Voss, a 42-year-old biology teacher who tries to gather funds for his school’s music program. To do so, he decides to enter the amateur MMA circuit to make it to UFC. Bas Rutten plays Niko, a former MMA fighter from the Netherlands who aids Voss as his coach. The film received positive reviews from critics and earned $73 million worldwide.

3 Rutten’s Stint In The Professional Wrestling World

Rutten Competed In Japanese Professional Wrestling Following His Pancrase Tenure

• UFC Hall of Famer also showcased his skills inside the pro wrestling ring.

Surprisingly, Bas Rutten has entered the squared circle on different occasions. “El Guapo” made his pro wrestling debut on New Year’s Eve 2000 at the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event. The Dutch fighter teamed up with Alexander Otsuka to defeat Naoki Sano and fellow UFC alumni, Rico Rodriguez.

After a pair of matches in the Battlearts promotion, Rutten made his NJPW debut by defeating Manabu Nakanishi back in 2002. Most notably, he holds a victory over Hiroshi Tanahashi and unsuccessfully challenged then-champion Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Title.

2 Bas Rutten Was A Longtime Co-Host Of The Inside MMA TV Program

He Hosted The Long-Running Series Alongside Mauro Ranallo

• Inside MMA was a mixed martial arts news magazine that aired on AXS TV from 2007 to 2016.

Rutten served as a host for the entire 10 seasons. During the last season, he reunited with former broadcast colleague, Mauro Ranallo. The program featured interviews with various fighters and personalities from the MMA community. During his interview in May 2015, UFC president Dana White announced that Bas Rutten would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July of that year.

1 Bas Rutten Vacated The UFC Heavyweight Title After Winning It

He Wanted To Move Weight Classes To Become A Double Champion

• “El Guapo” never defended his belt as he decided to vacate it.

After his stint in Pancrase, Bas Rutten signed a deal with UFC in 1998. Originally scheduled to face Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title, the fight never came to fruition as the American wrestler decided to leave the promotion due to a contract dispute. The Dutchman participated in a four-man tournament to declare a new heavyweight kingpin. “El Guapo” KO’d Tsuyoshi Kosaka at UFC 18. At UFC 20, he faced Kevin Randleman.

The two fought for over 21 minutes with Randleman dishing out punishment inside Rutten’s guard. Surprisingly, judges rendered Rutten as the winner. The Dutchman was crowned the new UFC heavyweight champion but decided to vacate the belt a few months later. He aimed for a middleweight title to become the first-ever two-division champion in UFC’s history. However, due to injuries suffered during training, Rutten was forced to retire from MMA competition for the time being due to doctor’s orders.