Bas Rutten is a Dutch professional kickboxer and wrestler. Favorite trick is a liver attack. Rutten has a long track record in the ring. But he became no less famous after the end of his sports career. He participated in television programs, acted in films, was one of the best fitness instructors and commentators.
Childhood
B. Rutten was born 02.24.1965 in the city of Tilburg. The fat man in the ring, Bas Rutten in his teens was physically weak. He suffered from eczema, because of which he wore clothes with high collars and long sleeves. Constantly suffered peer attacks, not having the strength to respond.
First training
Rutten's interest in martial art woke up at 11 years old, after secretly watching the movie “Dragon's Exit”. The picture was limited: "+17". But Bass and his brother sneaked into the cinema. And after watching Rutten began to go to taekwondo training. Parents were at first opposed, but Bas convinced them and began to make progress.
At age 14, he was already able to answer the offender - a local bully, breaking his nose. It came to the police, and parents again forbade Bas to go to training. But he found an alternative and began to engage in boxing with another.
Youth
At the age of 21, Bas Rutten began to live independently, separately from his parents. And immediately returned to taekwondo training. As a result of hard work, Bass received a black belt of the 2nd degree. A similar achievement earned a little later, practicing Kyokushin. And master Jon Blooming assigned Rutten the 5th dan.
Sports career
From the age of 20, Rutten began to participate in Thai boxing competitions. In mixed martial arts, Bas began his career at Pancrase (a Japanese company). The first two fights in which Rutten dominated, he completed by knockouts. And he was able to defeat the fourth in the list of the best Japanese fighters.
After these two successful fights, Bas Rutten has established himself as a drummer. Many called his technique destructive. Rutten instinctively felt the struggle. But still fighting skills were still weak. And in the third fight, Bas lost. After the defeat, he began to train hard, honing painful and suffocating techniques. He trained two to three times daily.
During numerous fights, Bas received serious injuries. Because of them, his sports career temporarily stopped. After Bass returned to the sport, he became three-time champs in absolute weight from Pancrase. In 1996, Rutten refused the next title, deciding that the birth of a daughter is more important. After another return to the sport, he won several more high-profile victories.
Rutten left Pancrase as one of the greatest fighters. The only one to whom he lost was K. Shamrock. He defeated Bass twice. But the fat athlete fought against everyone. Bas Rutten in 2000 planned to conduct a third battle against Shamrock, but he refused.
In 1998, Rutten signed a contract with the UFC (the largest US promoter company). And in the first battle he won a new victory over Ts. Kosaku. In 1999, a meeting was held in the ring with C. Randleman. The winner was recognized B. Rutten. He got the championship belt.
Last Stand
Bas Rutten, whose battles turned out to be even an inspiration in his career for many (for example, according to Tito Ortiz), nevertheless received many injuries for the entire duration of the competition. And they continued to pursue him. Rutten found a biceps rupture, neck and knees were injured. And the doctors advised the fighter to finish his sports career.
Rutten's last fight took place in 2006. He was supposed to fight C. Leopoldo. But he was caught doping and replaced by Ruben Villarreal. Rutten defeated him in the first round with multiple punches.
Acting and television career
Rutten decided to try his hand at cinema. But he starred mainly in short films and got small roles. Although, for example, the film with his participation “Kingdom of Absolute Power” received the first prize as “Best Comedy”. Where else has Bas Rutten been filmed? Films with his participation:
- the series "Chinese City";
- "Fury of Shadows";
- “Separator” and a few more short films.
In addition, Rutten participated in several wrestling shows and worked as a commentator. His last position, of course, was a success. He led programs about wrestling tournaments. And thanks to the excellent sense of humor, knowledge of this sport “from the inside” and resourcefulness during the comments, he has gained popularity and fame among the fans as one of the best commentators.
B. Rutten became a hero in several video games and on the TV show "Men's Room". Conducts a weekly television show. Periodically still acts as a commentator. During the filming of one of the documentaries, he coached Mark Kerr, and in 2006 - the Anaconda team, which subsequently won the competition.
Activities after completion of a sports career
After finishing his sports career, in 2008, Rutten became vice president of the International Fighting League. Bass was building relationships between the organization and the fighters. Assisted in the conduct of fights in the ring. But at the end of the year, the organization broke up. Bas's coaching work was also noted with Kimbo Slice, who was previously an ordinary street fighter who gained great popularity through videos published on YouTube. But he wanted to do martial arts seriously and hired Rutter.
Over time, disagreements began between them, and Bas resigned as Slice's personal trainer. Rutter for some time funded one of the Hollywood sports clubs. He worked as an instructor in it. He was a co-owner of the California club.
Personal life
Rutten has tattoos on his body. Moreover, each has a separate great value for Bass. Some call for calm, others protect and preserve vitality, etc. On the wrists are the names of daughters.
Bas Rutten was married twice. In the first marriage, the daughter of Rachel was born. She lives with her mother in the Netherlands. Rutten - in California, with a second wife. Two more daughters were born in this marriage: Bianca and Sabina.