Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten
Born	Sebastiaan Rutten (1965-02-24) February 24, 1965 Tilburg, Netherlands
Occupation(s)	Actor, mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler, commentator, coach
Known for	UFC Heavyweight Champion, King of Pancrase (three times), popularizing the liver shot in MMA

Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten (; born February 24, 1965) is a Dutch-American actor and former professional in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and professional wrestling. During his kickboxing career, he competed in 16 bouts, winning his initial 14 fights by knockout—13 of which ended in the first round—and suffered defeats in his last two matches, including a first-round knockout loss to Frank Lobman for the European Muay Thai championship in 1991. In the realm of MMA, Rutten held the UFC Heavyweight Championship title and was crowned the King of Pancrase three times. After a submission defeat to Ken Shamrock in 1995, he concluded his MMA tenure with an unbeaten streak spanning 22 fights (21 victories and one draw).

Rutten is credited with popularizing the liver shot—delivered by punch or kick—as a hallmark technique in MMA. Following his Pancrase career, he also participated in Japanese professional wrestling. Since retiring from active competition, Rutten has served as a color commentator for promotions such as Pride and Karate Combat (KC), while also making appearances in television, film, and video games. Between 2007 and 2016, he co-hosted the show Inside MMA on AXS TV. Additionally, Rutten coaches MMA athletes and has developed numerous instructional resources.

In 2008, Inside MMA ranked him as the fourth greatest mixed martial artist ever. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2015.

Early life

Born in Tilburg, Netherlands, Rutten faced health challenges early on, suffering from eczema and severe asthma starting at age six. These conditions restricted his physical activities and made him a target for bullying, which he concealed from his parents to avoid their worry. To escape harassment, he learned to evade bullies by climbing trees, eventually deterring their pursuit.

Rutten began boxing during elementary school and developed an interest in martial arts at age 12 after viewing Enter the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee, during a family trip to France. Although underage for entry, he managed to sneak into the theater with his brother. Inspired by the film, he even fashioned a homemade nunchaku.

Initially resistant due to their conservative views, his parents forbade martial arts training; however, at age 14 they permitted him to practice taekwondo. He quickly demonstrated skill by defeating adult sparring partners. After knocking out a bully during a street altercation, his parents prohibited further training. Despite this restriction, Rutten confronted and defeated each of his tormentors individually.

At 21 years old, Rutten moved out independently and pursued work as a chef while attending culinary school for four years. He resumed taekwondo training and earned a 2nd-degree black belt, then expanded his martial arts expertise by training in Kyokushin karate, where he also achieved a second-degree black belt.

Kickboxing career

Rutten embarked on his kickboxing journey at the age of 20 while simultaneously working as a bouncer and model. Over the course of 16 bouts, he achieved an impressive streak by winning his initial 14 fights, all by knockout—with 13 of those victories occurring in the opening round. However, he was defeated in his last two encounters. One of these losses came against Frank Lobman on 12 February 1991, when Rutten contested the European Muay Thai title and was knocked out in the first round. Rutten later admitted that he entered this fight under the influence and without adequate preparation but opted not to withdraw. After facing criticism for this performance, he decided to conclude his kickboxing career. Notably, his second-to-last match against Rene Rooze escalated into a physical altercation after Rooze bit Rutten’s ear, prompting Rutten to retaliate with a knee strike to the groin.

Early career

Rutten began his professional mixed martial arts journey while maintaining a career as an entertainer. Discovered by Chris Dolman, he trained at the Fighting Network RINGS facility in Holland, where he concentrated on mastering fundamental techniques despite encountering initial challenges. In 1993, Japanese professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki invited him to join their newly formed hybrid wrestling promotion, Pancrase, after witnessing him knock out the reigning RINGS champion during sparring sessions. Pancrase, recognized as a forerunner of modern MMA, featured notable competitors such as Frank Shamrock, Vernon White, Maurice Smith, Ken Shamrock, and Guy Mezger, and prohibited closed-fisted strikes to the face.

1993

Rutten made his Pancrase debut in September 1993 against Ryushi Yanagisawa, who outweighed him by 45 pounds. Utilizing palm strikes and knees, Rutten secured a knockout victory in just 48 seconds. The knockout was so severe that Yanagisawa required two days of hospitalization, leaving Rutten concerned about his opponent’s well-being. His second fight revealed a key deficiency: limited groundfighting skills. Facing Takaku Fuke, Rutten was taken down and caught in an armbar submission but managed to escape by using a rope break before delivering a knee strike to Fuke’s liver to claim victory.

1994

Rutten experienced his first defeat in Pancrase against founder Masakatsu Funaki. The loss resulted from Rutten inadvertently throwing a closed-fist punch—a banned move—allowing Funaki to secure a toehold submission. This setback underscored the critical need for grappling proficiency, motivating Rutten to film training sessions with Leon Van Dijk to enhance his skills.

Improved grappling led to a significant submission win over Japanese wrestler Kazuo "Yoshiki" Takahashi via an inverted heel hook—a technique Rutten had learned only the day before. This submission caused Takahashi’s shin to fracture and earned Rutten an honorary 5th-degree black belt in Kyokushin Budokai from Jon Bluming. Following this achievement, Rutten delivered a major victory against Pancrase co-founder Minoru Suzuki by knocking him down with a body kick and finishing with a liver strike—one of the standout moments of his career.

Approximately three weeks later, Rutten faced Ken Shamrock—future UFC Hall of Famer and one of Pancrase’s elite fighters—with Funaki coaching him in shoot wrestling techniques. Despite enduring dominant ground control from Shamrock, Rutten was ultimately submitted through heel hooks and a rear naked choke. After this loss, he dedicated himself exclusively to grappling training and rebounded with a guillotine choke submission win over Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Jason DeLucia.

In December, Rutten participated in the historic King of Pancrase tournament designed to crown the organization’s first champion. As one of four top-seeded fighters, he faced MMA newcomer and future UFC champion Frank Shamrock. The match became contentious when Rutten secured an early rear naked choke beneath the ropes; however, the referee halted the choke without penalizing Shamrock. The bout concluded with an upset decision favoring Shamrock, who also suffered a broken nose from one of Rutten’s high kicks.

1995

Following a surprising defeat, Rutten made a strong comeback on 26 January 1995 by submitting seasoned grappler and King of Pancrase finalist Manabu Yamada with a relentless arm triangle choke from half guard, despite being taken down. This victory secured him a rematch and a championship opportunity against tournament victor Ken Shamrock on 10 March. The bout concluded swiftly when Shamrock forced Rutten to submit via kneebar. Rutten attributed this setback to inadequate escape techniques taught by his partner Funaki, suspecting possible deliberate sabotage.

Shifting his focus back to submission grappling, Rutten intensified his training, which led to wins over Takaku Fuke through armbar and heel hook submissions. He then triumphed twice against American kickboxing champion Maurice Smith, first by heel hook and later by a figure-four toehold. After submitting Jason DeLucia, Rutten faced Frank Shamrock once more on 23 July, securing a split decision victory in a contest noted for contentious referee stoppages during Rutten’s kneebar attempts.

This success paved the way for a September title bout against King of Pancrase Minoru Suzuki, marking a significant career rematch. Although Suzuki maintained control and escaped a tight kneebar by grabbing the ropes, Rutten’s defensive prowess and counterattacks—including guillotine chokes and a rolling kneebar—kept the fight competitive. Near the conclusion, Rutten knocked Suzuki down with a front kick and forced a tap out with a guillotine choke to claim the championship.

After recovering from an injury hiatus, Rutten returned to face Maurice Smith again. Despite Smith’s repeated takedowns in response to Rutten’s striking dominance, he ultimately succumbed to a sweep from half guard followed by a rear naked choke. Rutten then engaged debut opponent Ryushi Yanagisawa in a grueling 27:35 encounter, overcoming a broken hand to execute three successive submissions before finishing with another rear naked choke.

1996

In March 1996, Rutten squared off against Lion's Den competitor and future UFC champion Guy Mezger. Rutten controlled the stand-up exchanges with targeted liver shots and palm strikes, compelling Mezger to initiate takedowns. While Mezger held top position on the ground without securing submissions, Rutten inflicted significant damage during striking phases. Following an exchange of leglocks, Rutten ultimately achieved victory via heel hook submission.

On 16 May 1996, Rutten defended his title against Frank Shamrock in their third encounter, which also involved Shamrock’s interim King of Pancrase championship. Shamrock dominated takedowns and secured north-south control but was unable to finish Rutten. Rutten knocked Shamrock down with an open-handed uppercut during the bout. A notable incident occurred when Shamrock taunted Rutten amid a leglock attempt, provoking Rutten to respond with a closed-fist punch that cost him a point. Ultimately, Rutten won by TKO due to an eye injury, unifying the King of Pancrase titles.

Immediately following this, Rutten faced Jason DeLucia in their rubber match. The fight stirred controversy as DeLucia accused Rutten of using closed fists, resulting in penalties against Rutten. Nevertheless, Rutten delivered devastating liver strikes that caused DeLucia’s liver to rupture, leading to a knockout.

At the Pancrase 1996 Anniversary Show on 7 September, Rutten defended his undisputed title against Masakatsu Funaki in what is regarded as one of Pancrase’s most memorable contests. Funaki nearly ended the fight with an ankle lock; however, Rutten escaped and employed stalling tactics reminiscent of those used against Suzuki. Funaki attempted leglocks from knee-on-stomach and mount positions but was effectively countered by Rutten. After Funaki delivered an illegal kick while Rutten was rising, Rutten responded by knocking him down with palm strikes followed by a sequence ending in a knee strike to the face for a knockout victory. This triumph crowned Rutten as a three-time King of Pancrase.

Rutten characterized the brutal encounter with Funaki as driven by anger over Funaki’s pre-fight threats and illegal strike, highlighting his resolve to dominate and inflict significant physical damage.

Rutten’s subsequent bout was a swift rematch against Manabu Yamada that concluded in just 54 seconds when Yamada submitted to a leg-entangled toehold. Following this match, Rutten voluntarily vacated his title to be present for the birth of his second daughter.

1997

On March 22, 1997, Rutten made his return to Pancrase in a bout against Osami Shibuya, which ended in a draw despite Rutten suffering a broken sternum during the fight. He later avenged this result by submitting Shibuya in a rematch using a spinal lock from ura-gatame, a technique that became known as the "Bas Rutten Neck Crank."

Rutten went on to claim eight additional victories within Pancrase, extending his undefeated run to 19 consecutive fights. He exited Pancrase as one of its most formidable competitors, with MMA legend Ken Shamrock being the sole opponent against whom he never managed to avenge a prior defeat. In 2000, while serving as PRIDE FC's color commentator, discussions surfaced about a third encounter with Shamrock; however, Shamrock declined the offer, citing his previous wins over Rutten. Rutten later confirmed that they would not face each other again due to their mutual friendship.

In the same year, Rutten was featured on the cover of Karaté Bushido, Europe's longest-running martial arts publication, joining the ranks of renowned figures such as Bruce Lee and Georges St-Pierre.

UFC Heavyweight Champion

Rutten became aware of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prior to its inaugural event in 1993 but initially chose not to participate due to concerns over its perceived "no rules" environment. Following his tenure in Pancrase, he signed with the UFC in 1998 amid considerable anticipation, entering as an undefeated fighter over his last 19 contests and being promoted as the "world’s greatest martial artist."

Initially slated to challenge heavyweight champion Randy Couture, Rutten’s title opportunity was postponed when Couture departed the UFC over contractual disputes. With the championship vacated, Rutten’s UFC debut came against Tsuyoshi Kosaka at UFC 18. Although he endured early dominance through ground-and-pound tactics, Rutten secured a dramatic knockout late in overtime amidst some debate regarding referee decisions.

On May 7, 1999, at UFC 20, Rutten contested Kevin Randleman for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. After absorbing significant punishment early on, he delivered a decisive liver kick and inflicted a cut on Randleman before ultimately winning by split decision to capture the title. The outcome generated controversy among fans and experts alike due to the judging criteria employed at that time.

Later that year, Rutten relinquished the heavyweight belt to drop down to middleweight (currently light heavyweight), aiming to become the first UFC athlete to hold titles in two weight classes. Unfortunately, serious training injuries—including damage to his knee, torn biceps, and neck trauma—compelled him to retire based on medical advice.

Rutten declined an offer to fight Kazushi Sakuraba from Pride Fighting Championships over disagreements regarding compensation and instead transitioned into a commentary role; Wanderlei Silva took his place on the fight card.

UFC Hall of Fame

On May 22, 2015, UFC President Dana White announced on Inside MMA that Rutten would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame during International Fight Week in July. Rutten earned distinction as the first European inductee and was honored in the "Pioneers" category of the UFC’s updated Hall of Fame.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz acknowledged Rutten as an early influence, highlighting that Rutten’s reputation and dedication inspired him to reach the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.

Final bout

In May 2006, Rutten made a comeback to mixed martial arts competition. After receiving medical clearance, he was slated to fight Kimo Leopoldo at the now-defunct World Fighting Alliance event on July 22, 2006. However, when Kimo tested positive for Stanozolol, Rutten instead faced Ruben "Warpath" Villareal. He secured a victory via first-round technical knockout, utilizing effective low kicks. This win brought his professional record to 28 victories, 4 defeats, and 1 draw. Subsequent drug screenings revealed Rutten tested positive for hydrocodone, morphine, and diphenhydramine.

Career in professional wrestling

Following his time in Pancrase, Rutten transitioned into puroresu. He made his debut at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2000, partnering with Alexander Otsuka to overcome Naoki Sano and Ricco Rodríguez, submitting Sano with a crossface chickenwing hold. Rutten also competed in Battlarts, where he knocked out Carl Malenko with a palm strike.

In 2002, Rutten became part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a member of Antonio Inoki's MMA contingent. Before making his debut, he studied wrestling maneuvers such as the shining wizard by reviewing Keiji Mutoh’s footage. Rutten mainly participated in singles matches, defeating seasoned wrestlers including Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Masayuki Naruse. He challenged Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful. In October of that year, he engaged in a European Catch Wrestling Rules match against Osamu Nishimura that concluded in a time-limit draw despite Nishimura delivering illegal strikes. Later that month, Rutten shifted to the junior heavyweight category for a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Koji Kanemoto but fell short. His last match occurred on October 26, 2002, facing Kanemoto.

Activities following retirement

After stepping away from competition in 1999, Rutten pursued acting roles, landing minor parts in television series such as Martial Law, 18 Wheels of Justice, The King of Queens, "Lights Out", and the Canadian production Freedom. He appeared in low-budget films including Shadow Fury, The Eliminator, and the comedic short The Kingdom of Ultimate Power, which earned first place for best comedy at the 2005 New York short film festival.

Rutten worked as a color commentator for English-language broadcasts of Pride Fighting Championships from their inaugural event through the 2005 Grand Prix. His blend of humor and knowledge made him popular among viewers. In April 2006, he resigned from this role due to frequent travel commitments to Japan and prolonged absences from his family.

He made a guest appearance in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV on the fictional program "The Men's Room" and contributed motion capture for the protagonist’s fighting animations. Additionally, Rutten was featured in WCW vs. the World for PlayStation under the pseudonym "Thunder Dome" to circumvent copyright restrictions.

On January 23, 2008, Rutten was named Vice President of Fighter Operations at the International Fight League (IFL), reporting directly to CEO Jay Larkin. His responsibilities included managing fighter relations and matchmaking duties. He also co-hosted weekly programs "Battleground" and "International Fight League" alongside Kenny Rice until IFL ceased operations later that year.

In 2009, Rutten appeared in New Found Glory’s music video for "Listen to Your Friends," engaging in a choreographed fight with lead singer Jordan Pundik. He co-hosted Inside MMA on AXS TV with Kenny Rice and provided English commentary for Dream events aired on HDNet until replaced by commentators based in Japan attending live shows. Rutten has also participated in public health campaigns on Cartoon Network, including an MMA safety public service announcement.

In 2012, Rutten acted in the sports comedy film Here Comes the Boom alongside Kevin James and Henry Winkler. He portrayed Niko, a former mixed martial artist who assists a biology teacher preparing for professional competition. The movie includes cameo appearances by several MMA figures.

On October 23, 2013, Rutten joined the commentary team for World Series of Fighting broadcasts on NBCSN, working alongside Todd Harris.

As of November 2024, Rutten is active as a commentator for Karate Combat (KC).

Coaching

Rutten holds certifications as an instructor in MTBN Thai Boxing, mixed martial arts, and krav maga. He provided coaching to Mark Kerr during the HBO documentary The Smashing Machine.

In 2006, Rutten took on the role of team coach for the International Fight League, guiding the Anacondas to a 3–2 triumph over the Silverbacks. He invested in Legends MMA gym located in Hollywood and occasionally conducted training sessions there. Presently, he co-owns Bas Rutten's Elite Mixed Martial Arts in Thousand Oaks, California, where he instructs MMA classes.

Rutten has also prepared former street fighter Kimbo Slice and professional wrestler Samoa Joe for their transitions into MMA competition.

Fighting style

Rutten’s achievements in Pancrase were rooted in a comprehensive fighting approach that excelled in both striking and grappling disciplines. His stand-up game integrated Dutch-style Muay Thai, Karate, and Taekwondo, marked by aggressive yet precise striking techniques. According to Frank Shamrock, Rutten’s kickboxing was "devastating" and intimidating, driven by a "street fighter mentality."

A fundamental strategy involved destabilizing opponents with push kicks when pressed against the ropes, followed by a barrage of palm strikes and body punches to suppress any counterattacks. Despite not having robust takedown defense, Rutten effectively delivered strikes during opponents’ takedown attempts, frequently knocking them out before the takedown was completed. His hallmark technique was targeting the opponent’s liver with a combination of punches, knees, and kicks to incapacitate them.

Rutten attributed his striking methodology to his experience working as a bouncer, where he favored using palms and forearms rather than fists to protect his hands—an approach well-suited to Pancrase’s rule system.

His ground fighting skills largely developed through self-instruction. Beginning with basic defense training from Chris Dolman, Rutten honed his submission abilities by studying Pancrase techniques. His grappling style reflected Pancrase’s indigenous shoot wrestling (or "Catch wrestling"), emphasizing chokeholds, leglocks, and formidable submission defense that enabled him to compete against top grapplers such as Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki.

Personal life

Rutten lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Karin and their two daughters; he also has a daughter from a previous marriage. He obtained U.S. citizenship during the 1990s. In late 2015, he became a grandfather to a grandson residing in Belgium.

He shares a longstanding friendship with fellow Dutch MMA athlete Gerard Gordeau. Rutten is also recognized by the moniker "El Guapo," which translates from Spanish as "The Handsome One."

Rutten is well-known for his distinctive victory celebration, the "Rutten Jump," a jumping split performed after winning matches. He described its inception as an unplanned burst of joy following his initial Pancrase victory, which eventually became his signature move.

In 2010, Rutten collaborated with clothing company Tokyo Five to create and host a cooking series titled Grandma's Kitchen with Bas Rutten. However, production was indefinitely halted after an on-set physical altercation.

In 2018, Rutten was honored with induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Religious convictions

Rutten, a devoted Catholic, reconnected with his faith in 2013 after having distanced himself from it during his teenage years despite being raised in the Catholic tradition. He acknowledges the encouragement of friends, notably actor Kevin James, as instrumental in his spiritual reawakening.

Body art

Rutten bears multiple tattoos, each intended to provide him with spiritual and emotional strength.

Physical altercations

Rutten has gained recognition for engaging in numerous street fights around the globe. Among these, he famously used a kimura lock to hurl Paul Varelans through a glass window in Russia after Varelans tried to bite him, subsequently disarming an armed bouncer immediately following the incident. Additionally, he confronted several bouncers at once during a bar fight in Sweden, an event that led to his short-term incarceration.

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame (Pioneer wing, Class of 2015)
  • Held the UFC Heavyweight Championship (One occasion)
    • The first Dutch fighter to claim a UFC title
  • Recipient of UFC Encyclopedia Awards
    • Awarded Fight of the Night (One time) for bout against Tsuyoshi Kohsaka
  • Maintained an undefeated record in UFC competition (2–0)
• Pancrase
  • Captured the King of Pancrase Openweight Championship (One reign)
    • Successfully defended the title twice
  • Unified the King of Pancrase Openweight Championship
• Sherdog
  • Enshrined in the Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2014)
• Fight Matrix
  • Honored as 1996 Fighter of the Year

Professional mixed martial arts record

|- | Win | align=center| | Ruben Villareal | TKO (leg kicks) | WFA: King of the Streets | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:24 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 27–4–1 | Kevin Randleman | Decision (split) | UFC 20 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 21:00 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | Secured vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship; later relinquished due to injury. |- | Win | align=center| 26–4–1 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka | TKO (punches) | UFC 18 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 14:15 | Kenner, Louisiana, United States | |- ... [Record continues detailing significant victories and defeats including championship bouts and title defenses] ...

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Shadow Fury	Kismet
2002	The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr	Himself	Documentary
	Modern Warriors
2004	The Eliminator	Dakota Varley
2005	The Vault	General Matos
	The Kingdom of Ultimate Power	Vlad Rifka	Short film
2006	Backlash	Grazer
2009	Paul Blart: Mall Cop	Drill Instructor
2010	Sinners & Saints	Dekker
2011	Zookeeper	Sebastian the Wolf (voice)
2012	Here Comes the Boom	Niko
2014	Mercy Rule	Coach
2015	Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2	Henk
2016	The River Thief	Clyde
2025	The Smashing Machine	Himself

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1999	Martial Law	Roman Van Reit	Episode: "Nitro Man"
2000	Freedom	The Bad Guy	Episode: "Lonewolf"
	The King of Queens	Emil	Episode: "Party Favors"
2002	NJPW Samurai TV	Himself
2005	The King of Queens	Niles	Episode: "Deconstructing Carrie"
2006	International Fight League	Himself (announcer)
2007	Fight Science / The Modern Warrior	Himself	Documentary series

|} |- 2008|| Fight Science|| Himself|| Episode: "Fighting Back" |- 2011|| Lights Out|| Dokaj|| Episode: "Bolo Punch" |- 2012|| Punk Payback / Myrskyn Ratsastajat|| Himself|| Documentary |- 2015|| Liv and Maddie|| Uncle Martucci|| Episode: "Ask Her More-A-Rooney" |- 2017–18|| Kevin Can Wait|| Rutger/Rootger Van De Kamp|| Recurring character |}

Video game appearances

Year	Title	Role	Additional Information
1997	WCW vs. the World	Thunder Dome
2008–2012	Grand Theft Auto series / EA MMA / UFC Undisputed 3	Himself (voice) / Niko Bellic (motion capture fight double)
2016	EA Sports UFC 2	Playable character as himself

Publications

• Bas Rutten's Big Book of Combat, Volumes One and Two (2002)
• Bas Rutten's Big DVDs of Combat
• Bas Rutten's Lethal Street Fighting (2003)
• Bas Rutten's MMA Workout (2001)
• Bas Rutten's Superior Free Fight Techniques
• Bas Rutten's "Extreme Pancrase" No-Holds Barred Fighting System
• Training with Bas Rutten "Never Back Down Special Features" (2008)
• TERA Online" MMO-FO.com Spokesman (2012)