Bas Rutten: Interested in fighting for UFC

by MMAmania.com on Feb 21, 2007 9:37 AM EST in UFC News

bas rutten ufc

One of the pioneers of mixed martial arts and former UFC heavyweight champion — Bas Rutten (28-4-1) — would consider fighting in the UFC if he can recover from a serious knee injury, according to an interview with CBSSportsline.com.

Here's a snip from "El Guapo:"

"I'm not [looking to get back into the ring or cage] because I have a very bad combination in my knee; I have an ACL and meniscus and I have arthritis on top of it. If my knee is good, yes, you know [I'd come back], but the pain in my knee takes all the pleasure from my training.... As long as I feel that pain, I don't want to train and I can't fight."

Rutten's contract was one of the "select assets" the UFC acquired in the deal with World Fighting Alliance (WFA) in 2006. He chopped down Ruben "Warpath" Villareal (11-11-3) in the first and only WFA event in July 2006.

The match with Villareal was the first for Rutten in almost seven years — he was forced to retire in 1999 because of knee and other injuries.

During his hiatus, Rutten kept a high-profile in the sport, commentating for PRIDE FC and opening up "Legends Gym" in Los Angeles, California, with UFC heavyweight contender Randy Couture. He is also the coach of the Los Angeles Anacondas in the International Fight League (IFL).

According to Rutten, UFC President Dana White has not contacted the 42-year-old Dutch fighter about a possible return.

However, if Rutten can get well soon, there's no doubt UFC fans would embrace the return of Bas.

And, his patented "Rutten Jump."

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Comments

battle of the old men…

randy vs. bas… after words they can get the senior discount @ denny’s. lol

by michael o on Feb 21, 2007 11:16 AM EST reply actions

This is a non-story. But just in case Rutten makes a return – be sure and kick him in the knee.

by Erhardt on Feb 21, 2007 12:11 PM EST reply actions

Erhardt-

Agree, but I get a ton of emails from readers wondering what’s up with Bas. Hopefully, this provides some clarification.

I agree that he should never get inside the Octagon. But, he’s a great guy to have on the sidelines.

by UFCmania on Feb 21, 2007 12:17 PM EST reply actions

How do you get “Bas Rutten: Interested in Fighting for UFC” out of:

Q: Are you looking possibly in the long-term to get back into the cage or ring?

BR: No. No, I’m not

Talk about misleading headlines.

by Dave on Feb 21, 2007 1:30 PM EST reply actions

yeah hes old and injured..he is a great MMA personality though…it would be nice to see him on the sidelines

by MMA Dude on Feb 21, 2007 1:32 PM EST reply actions

I sent our man at UFCmania an email regarding this. Thanks for a public reply. Good news as always.
Guys, Bas is a true legend of our sport. He built this sport internationally more than anyone other than Ken Shamrock. He was one of the first big names in MMA. I knew his knee was still bad, but El Gaupo is and always will be a class act, great teacher, and the best color commentator MMA has ever had. If he needs to retire again, it’s been a great show.
Check these out if you havent seen ’em –
Some sick humor:
http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/bas+rutten/video/xa0uu_bas-rutten-self-defense
Bas vs Shamrock, best leglock in history:
http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/bas+rutten/video/x80my_ken-shamrock-vs-bas-rutten
The brutality, and class of Bas:
http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/bas+rutten/video/x7zea_bas-rutten-vs-ryushi-yanagisawa
If you enjoy the ground game as much as I do, search Bas Rutten at Dailymotion and check out his fights and classes.

by MoreThanUFC on Feb 21, 2007 1:43 PM EST reply actions

yep the dudes all class, thanks morethanufc, good stuff…and that was one hella knee bar…another reason why id rather not see him come back, but want him to be on the sidelines..hes great for the sport

by MMA Dude on Feb 21, 2007 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Dave-

He didn’t rule it out altogether, so it’s not that misleading.

Perhaps a more accurate headline would be:

Bas Rutten: Interested in fighting for UFC so long as his injured knee heals

I only have so many words to work with. And yes, part of purpose of a headline is to get people to read the story. Color me guilty. If it was misleading … apologies.

by UFCmania on Feb 21, 2007 2:23 PM EST reply actions

They should bring Bas in as another Announcer He has the perfect personality as well as tremendous knowledge of the sport, but i don’t think he should fight.

by Getrawbc on Feb 21, 2007 6:21 PM EST reply actions

Bas Rocks! Im always rooten for Rutten. Give em ten right (injured) knees Bas!

by UFCmaniac on Feb 22, 2007 6:51 AM EST reply actions

i would love to Bas return i dont think he would be a big impact just for the fact of the time it makes a diff trust me i know i took 6 months off of fighting and it made a huge diff in the fight hes great but between the knee, age, and time off i think it would ruin his career rather than benifit….if he returns it would exactly be the jordan return to the NBA

by Mark "Lights Out" Matheson on Mar 30, 2007 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

Bas is not good anymore but he is legend.
KEN VS BAS it will be good fight.

by 2pac on Apr 19, 2007 5:47 AM EDT reply actions

battle of the old men…

randy vs. bas… after words they can get the senior discount @ denny’s. lol

DUFUS RESPONSE, APPARENTLY AGE [ WITHIN REASON ] HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH WINNING, WHOEVER GETS CLOCKED ON THE NOSE FIRST USUALLY LOSES, WHETHER YOUR 32 OR 42

by ken [vancouver,b.c.] on May 7, 2007 10:00 PM EDT reply actions