When it comes to MMA pioneers, it doesn't get much better than Bas Rutten. He was not only funny and charismatic, but vicious in the ring, too.

Rutten is one of the sport's greatest personalities and one of its greatest legends.

Not only did he enthrall in Pancrase with his spectacular striking and solid grappling, but he took the UFC title after a back-and-forth war with Kevin Randleman.

Even after injuries ended his career in the midst of a 22-fight win streak, "El Guapo" has continued to endear himself to the public with his hilarious videos for Tokyo Five, as well as his extremely-effective (and funny) self-defense technique videos that he has posted all over YouTube.

You want to know how to win a bar fight? Let Rutten show you the ways right here.

Of course, Rutten -- a host on HDNet's "Inside MMA" -- has provided excellent ringside commentray for organizations like Pride FC, Shark Fights and DREAM, among others.

There can be no question that he is one of combat's finest legends.

And after painstaking research, every single fact triple-checked, I am proud to bring you a retrospective of this great man and his storied career.

In pictures, of course:

It's always best to start from the beginning. The first thing he did was...

WACHAAA! Dangity, dangity, DANG!