Interview with Bas Rutten

Full Interview:
http://mmarecap.com/news/Recapping_With_Bas_Rutten_-__Enter_The_Dragon-557

Recapping With Bas Rutten - Enter The Dragon

by Andrew Gladstone - 11-18-2009


Bas “El Guapo” Rutten (28-4-1) is a legendary mixed martial arts fighter and commentator. Rutten is a former three-time King of Pancrase and the former UFC heavyweight champion. He’s also known for being one of the most likeable and humorous mma personalities of all time. MMA Recap’s Andrew Gladstone sat down with Bas Rutten to give mma fans insight on one of the legends of the sport.

How did you first get into martial arts? And when did you start training?
"While on holiday with my family in France in 1976, I was accompanied by my brother, snuck into a movie theatre that was playing ‘Enter the Dragon’. I was captivated by Bruce Lee and the martial arts and this movie begun my lifelong involvement in martial arts."

"At age 20 I left home to live with my girlfriend and this was a point in his life where I really become involved and committed to martial arts training. For starters it was karate and Tae kwon do and then moving on to Thai boxing. Everything started to happen so fast from training to fighting in Thai boxing and maintaining an undefeated record and beginning work as a bouncer which in turn put my ring fighting on hold as I was working most nights."

What's it like being on HDNet and being apart of Inside MMA?
"It’s the best job ever. I meet all my buddies from the fighting game again and working with the very talented Kenny Rice is a treat. Ron Kruck, also a member from our team, he is also super to work with. The HD Net crew is like a family, we always go out to dinner with the whole group and do things, like last time in Chicago we were bowling."

In your mma career, what has been your favorite fight?
"Masakatsu Funaki, he beat me the first time we fought when I had no ground skills at all. I was already 1.5 years undefeated and got the title. It was my last fight on the contract, they thought he was going to beat me again and that would be good for the negotiations for my new contract. Boy they were wrong, I beat him up hard, cheekbones and his nose were broken. He made in front of me that “sitting the throat” thing before the fight, I got so angry, my corner was telling me the whole time “Don’t lose control, but I used controlled aggression, just like my “buddy” Bruce Lee would say. Be very relaxed, but when you strike or go for a submission, explode into it, then right after you have to relax again."

What's it like being the most macho and handsome fighter in mixed martial arts history?
"You get used to it, seeing myself in the mirror everyday makes me forget that I am so damn beautiful, hahaha, its just a made up name."

You've been singing and acting for quite some time now. Have you ever thought of taking your act on the road?
"Yes I did, my wish is to do stand up one time, I think its the most nerve wrecking thing, what if you bomb right?"

Why did you stop commentating the live HDNet broadcasts?
"There is a LOT of Kenny and Bas already on HD Net. I am very happy though; traveling for the shows in Japan isn’t that fun anymore. For my citizenship I had to count the times I have travelled, while I was busy I though: “Lets count the other ones too”, it was over 150 times I believe. I have other shows that I do, The Art of War in China, Glory in Holland and a show in Aruba. I don’t wanna do more then that."

Name one thing mma fans don't know about you.
"I play guitar hero, “the Beatles”, I like flowers and am crazier then you see when I am on TV. If I come lose, people would freak out. Ask my wife, I have this energy that is hard to control. My youngest daughter has that gene also. My wife always says “I am glad when he leaves, but I am also glad when he is back”, there is too much energy n the house, los of dancing with the girls and of course the music is loud then."

What are some of your favorite stories from the road?
"I have too many, not 5, or 10. A lot, well over 40 or 50. I tell one because it’s short. I walked out of the bar in Japan with Jeff Sherwood (Sherdog) and Josh Gross (two writers). I wasn’t drunk but stepped on the road, you would say that after 150 times I would know that the traffic comes from the other side. I got hit by a cab, at the last moment I saw him so I jumped, I thought that would be better otherwise he might drive over me. I got launched; made two stretched summersaults over the cab and landed on my back. They all thought I was dead. They ran over to me and I put my hand up, I felt my body and said “No internal damages”, everybody was laughing and walked I away unharmed, well, I had a piece of meat out of my hip from landing on the road I think."