FIGHT! Life - Bas Rutten: You Fight to Win

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Bas Rutten (aka "El Guapo") finished his career on top, but before MMA really came into its own. How far could Bas have gone against today's UFC stars? Just ask him. Produced and directed by Matthew Ross. Shot by Marc Rizzo and Randy Ward. Edited by Ashley Cahill and Ryan Jackson-Healy.

[@finalfantasy8VIII]

My favorite mma fighter of all time :)

[@adriansieka7090]

mine too

[@chadfresno4935]

They should really get Bas on TUF to be a coach. I wouldn't feel one bit of disappointment if they broke the tradition of the coaches fighting at the end. Get like Bas and whoever, I dunno. Just have two experienced and well respected veterans whose sole mission is to train those guys to win, and not have to use any focus on preparing to fight each other.

[@Truth1000.]

Champion Bass, they now have cartilage replacement and joint fluid replacement for both types. hope you get those knees back up and running

[@Jonrocat]

not only my favourite fighter but one of my heroes.

[@kimcarlsen9645]

Wow. I feel really sorry for him and his knees. That must suck, especially when you're living such an active life.

[@ncj25]

DAMMIT if I had a time machine I'd go back to 1999 and give Bas the cartilage from my knees to see him continue his career after beating Randleman. His next fight was supposed to be against Randy! Randy has confirmed that the fight was indeed in the works but Bas' injuries sidelined him. We could have seen Bas vs Randy, Chuck, etc! Tito has gone on record recalling being a newcomer and being very intimidated by Bas and HOPING he wouldn't have to fight him lol

[@lisemaa]

1:15 hope for diaz sake

[@francistervil4057]

What Bas Rutten said in the end, about fighters not retiring until they have win, is very true and it scares me. Because it makes me think about Anderson ''The spider'' Silva who keeps fighting in his 40's. He just lost to Bisping and he wants to keep fighting. Also, Roy Jones Jr, just lost by a vicious KO against anybody.

[@TENNSUMITSUMA]

anybody?! what?!

[@noahweller6939]

Francis Tervil lost to dc aswell

[@PuertoRicanStyL]

Wonder how he lost the cartalige in his knees.

[@uhebivbhfbvhdjfbkvdh]

Tito Ortiz is a perfect example of what Bas was talking about in the end.

[@rockstarzee19]

“Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity and so we ask ourselves will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we're gone and wonder who we were? How bravely we fought?" Physical injuries are worth immortality to some people.

[@mrtruthforever]

Pay attention to your words: "became the best, and he was the best". Became & was...past tense. Momentary achievements motivated by ego to be the "best" are fleeting. The injuries are for life. It's not like he received constant pain in order to save a platoon. I don't know how much comfort "once I was best" serves when the remainder of your life you're debilitated.You have to have really screwed priorities in order for that dubious idea to provide you comfort. Ego over health?I don't think so.

[@PandaLord13]

I know, I am aware. But it merely depends on perspective - Bas may view those injuries as like a trophy for his achievements whereas you would simply view them as injuries, priorities vary from person to person.

[@blademaster9297]

You can apply this advice to any area of life. If you do something, do it to be the best.

[@mrtruthforever]

"Whether strangers hear our names long after we're gone" is meaningless enslavement to ego."Whether we fought bravely" depends on for what cause one fought.If for the selfless betterment of others (the opposite of ego) then it is bravery. If for the promotion of one's fame, then it's just a reflection of skewed values & enslavement to ego, pride, and materialism.Let's ask Bas after he's been on medications for 40 years&has trouble doing physical tasks that little girls can do if it was worth it.

[@GokuInfintysaiyan]

And he would say hell yes considering that if he could fix himself he would do it again. Look you obviously do not understand the mentality of a fighter and are too self righteous and stuck up to understand people like him. Stay out of our world and go back to your harmonious praying and dance of happiness. For people like him, people like me, the fighting world is bliss and the ultimate test, if you cannot understand that then stay away

[@ronm7114]

i respect them, but the damage that can be inflicted isnt worth it. UU can train for years, be very good, but one goid placed knee and ur out. Its too brutal. At least for me. I agree with mr truth.

[@DexterHaven]

Ken Shamrock alone counted for half his losses. His theory of leaving on a win explains Matt Hughes's reluctance to retire perfectly.

[@MaharlikaAWA]

Me and Bas are in the same boat. No cartilage in the knees. Its really tough and sad for a martial artist but I try anyway.

[@beefdog]

@willman, I believe if one is to do combat sports you need to get out while your health is in good standing, what good are stories and titles if you cannot even walk straight and have brain damage and other health problems. there is no honor in getting beat down repeatedly to please some hilljacks. Getting an education to some might be boring, but hey that is why it is not for everyone.

[@willman808]

@beefdog My perspective is that, you were given a body, so you might as well do something w/ it! A lot of guys are going to have real beat up bodies by the time they're 40, but most of those guys will have accomplished a lot more than most people ever will. I'd rather be a busted up old man w/ a bunch of awesome stories and videos of me kicking ass. Instead of an injury free, boring old guy. But different strokes for different folks :P.

[@tipsy700]

a lot of my friends were like, whaat? but i was like, dude, you do realise that with our training and fighting we will be fucked up by the time were 40, and they were like what no whay man!! and i(m like: if i can't do shit decently when i'm 60 i'm gonna ask my best younger friend to fight me till i die...

[@chiquicat1]

To me its better to be mediocre and keep your knees intact... but I see what you mean, its good to set ambitious goals in life. Although you're paying a price for it with your knees. If you force your body too much, it breaks. But of course, I am not a professional fighter. Respect Bas.

[@warriorfire8103]

It is a shame about cartilage. You think they would really be working hard on a way to fix that sort of thing with a natural process. Imagine so many people espeically fighters like Bas I'm sure would LOVE that. *Sigh* unfortunately the body isn't good at repairing everything on it's own.

[@narwhalsandjuice]

@pryzed1 Theres no cartilage in his knee caps due to the kicks. Any good kicker will eventually have this problem, because the strain of powerful thai kicks damages the cartilage and it simply grinds down until theres none left.

[@shadowsghost]

@kuha5ster its gone, thats the part your knee slides on while you're walking. If its gone, the upper part of your knee (bone) is literally rubbing it self to the lower part of the joint. Thats fuckin painfull.

[@beefdog]

I love mma but those injuries are crazy, Bas having his knee problems and being in pain everyday to me is not worth doing it. I do not want to be 40 and having problems with my back, knees, neck, shoulders,etc.

[@VCthaGOATdunker]

I don't want to say i'm glad his knees don't allow him to come back and fight anymore, but Bas is the last person that I would want to see get beat up by young fighters because he's way past his prime. This way, he's retired with a perfect legacy.

[@Imsleazy666]

i wonder how he trains with no cartilage under his kneecaps, i have arthritis in one of my knees and it kills me. it would be interesting to know how he modifies his training.

[@-Thunder-Warrior-]

@KeyboardWarrior21 Yes, Bas did do professional wrestling in Japan for a while, more proof that he can do pretty much anything....Did you have a point child?

[@-Thunder-Warrior-]

@AffordableTeezCom "Bas iz a noob he lost to Ken Shamrock LMFAO!!!11111one" "Yes, but that was the last fight he ever lost." "Ummm...." "Exactly, now sod off"

[@trakkaton]

Don't you worry Bas, new matrix-based tissue engineering for your knees just around the corner. Or take that awesome ProstheX (C) artificial knees from 2015. We wanna see you kick again...

[@dss103]

Also it's true, it's sad when a fighter is so great and he retires on a loss. When I'm a champion, I'm retiring a champ! As in i'm gonna WIN!!! lol

[@vidals0]

im going to build a time machine and bring prime bas to the present and fight him against each division champion of the ufc at the same time!

[@Daski69]

I admire Bas but I didn't like his philosophy about the absolute reason to fight. Some fight because they enjoy it as healthy exercise.

[@getoffen]

I f**kin idol right there, i started grappling because of him. I would give my left leg just to be in the sparring match with him.

[@mynameishump]

i am his lucky charm cause he hasnt lost since i was alive he won his first fight on that streak the day before my birthday

[@mrtruthforever]

I really respect Bas. But I hope that young people listen to what he said-he's in constant pain from simple walking. In my opinion, pain free walking (or any other natural human activity for that matter) is worth more than any championship belt. Today's champion is tomorrow's "has been". But your injuries are with you for life.

[@lux-3001]

As a former track&field athlete I have a pretty bad back from 17 years of shot putting. Looking behind now, I should maybe retire a couple of months earlier than I did. But then again, my mother has a back way worst than I do and never did any sports.

[@MYBB90]

@bizarrejapan I also said "Whoops I commented before I heard about his knees" 5 minutes after the original

[@xxzippyxx]

LOL el guapo was so great that God had to stop him by fucking up his legs. No fighter could have done that

[@aitsBRAD]

@pseudonominous Bas, hes the real deal he has a lot of experience from street fighting as well as mma

[@onebadmoto]

@AffordableTeezCom not to mention shamrock ducked him more than once for another fight.

[@NRPBrute]

Fuck yeah, a younger Bas would easily be champ. He is the man. What a real fighter is.

[@MYBB90]

why doesn't he get back in the UFC? He's a former champion who hasn't lost since 95?

[@myloflex]

Wish they could fix Bas's knees...he would own pretty much everyone cause he's the man

[@1martyshannon]

is that the dislike bar or Bas Rutten's MMA record?

[@jamesmmu]

@Daski69 He's talking top level guys, not people training for exercise etc

[@Dwish305]

lol they should make him a 2nd char with kratos in god of war f'in badass

[@TheFactsX]

Man..no more cartilage in your legs? You did too many Liver Kicks man.

[@overboostmotorsport]

the man!

[@Redwarrior96]

Look up "manly" in the dictionary and there is a picture of this guy.

[@lmurashchik]

I wonder if Bas would benefit from #DDPYoga

[@bilguunz]

I USED TO FIGHT LIKE HIM ,THEN I TOOK AN ARROW TO THE KNEE.

[@dss103]

@3h1tt3nu Him and everyone else on this planet lol.

[@rabbychan]

Are their really no treatments for his problem? :S

[@burns985]

So do they get damaged even from running, road marching with loads etc ? Tnx a lot mate.

[@ncj25]

Plus Ken beat Bas in Pancrase, different rules. If they had fought in Pride, MMA rules, even if Ken got the takedown on him, Bas would have been allowed to strike on the ground. Would have been an ugly night for ol' Kenny. His excuse was "I beat Bas twice already, no need for a 3rd fight", but he knows the real reason...Bas was hungry to avenge that loss, had perfected the ground game, and it would have been a straight up fight...not weird Pancrase rules. He would have got mauled by Bas lol

[@burns985]

How does cartlige knee caps get damaged ? I feel so bad for Bas. He is my MMA hero.

[@legendsaleem]

Bas became a true mix martial artist in last years of his career and went undefeated for his last 22 fights. Of course most of the top guys now a days are complete mix martial artist but back then there were only few. In today's world in would be awesome to see Bas fight Machida, Shogun, Anderson and Fedor. Bas is a true artist.

[@rafaelflores6772]

Bas was a beast

[@skiie]

@SimulacronX I would imagine so, alot of cardio does that after awhile because of the friction your joints get from long periods of running and training. I know some ex-marines who have had the same thing happen to them.

[@Ariel1Dominguez]

Dude had 28 wins, 27 finishes. What a beast, any man would like to be as bad ass as Bas. Dude is super chill too.

[@ncj25]

Just to prove his desire to be the best and how devastating a loss was to him: Ken submitted Bas twice when he had no knowledge of the ground game, only striking. He then trained EXCLUSIVELY on that only, and won damn near all his remaining fights by submission. He then announced in Pride he'd come out of retirement, injuries and all, and challenged Ken to another fight (Ken was still an active fighter at the time). Ken wanted no part of Bas once he perfected his ground game

[@goldstandardpersonalgrowth]

anyone know how he fucked up his cartilage ?

[@hentajus]

@kuha5ster he was a professional fighter...

[@MYBB90]

lol nvm he pretty much answered my question

[@joshuajimenezmusic]

Bas...awesome fighter (who wins their last 22!!!!!) and awesome announcer. I love his attitude as a commentator! He brings life to the broadcast! oooohhhhh!!!!! lol

[@PandaLord13]

I wouldn't say so, perhaps it's those injuries which remind you of your accomplishments. Those injuries reflect the fact Bas became the best, and he was the best.

[@catamenia8485]

So, why EXACTLY did his knees got fucked up?

[@kalelg4]

Why he has no cartilage in his kneecaps?

[@Nyoni4life]

@ultrasasuke2 Maybe because it's true?

[@kuha5ster]

wht happened to his knee cartiladge???

[@Halbared]

These snippets into Bas are really great

[@WeeOnDrums]

THAT'S AWESOME! you should be proud of that, i think that you've got the coolest dad in the world! good luck to all of your family

[@hater3669]

From what is that knee damage? Kicking heavybag?

[@3h1tt3nu]

sad to hear he has knee problems :(

[@RhinoXpress]

You can take the fighter out of the cage, but you can never take the cage out of the fighter.

[@jessebarr9961]

Good lesson on standards

[@ryanenglish8047]

Bas for president!

[@book678903]

@AffordableTeezCom plus that was when ken was in his prime, ken was very good back in the day

[@snippy777]

@AffordableTeezCom i thought 1

[@drquantum6548]

He took an arrow to the knee ?

[@hemotomaniac77]

@kmtatyou Thats hilarious and true. I was not into MMA when he fought but I love Bas.

[@Makedonac007]

You don't fight ●

[@kuha5ster]

i agree with u a 100%..real inspiration and still one of my all time favorite fighters

[@ECJ49]

What EXACTLY caused Bas's knees to get messed up and how can I avoid this

[@supremoluminary]

I understand that cartilage can be regrown with IAGH and/or regenexx.

[@sneakerfiend89]

5 people are not guapo

[@VictorEden]

Come on Bas, i respect the guy but he actually lost vs kevin randleman

[@Michaelmop]

Bas Rutten FTW!

[@xpenn420]

@bilguunz ur so funny man

[@-Thunder-Warrior-]

@KeyboardWarrior21

[@dlvt79]

@3h1tt3nu That is his payment to the glory...That is mma

[@saleemwoo2]

I have nothing but pure respect and admiration for this man

[@Hawkeye0045]

@lilpeanut77 Yes

[@atlantis803]

or in the liver

[@humachuka]

@RAiiNB0WZ oh my god. YOUR DAD IS MY EFFING HERO!!!!!

[@jakysz145]

Very nice series too bad that they are so short.

[@MrCupid444]

SO TRUE BAS

[@thenightstalker4549]

Legend his story is very inspiring.

[@EmotionalContagion]

who'd win in a fight, Bas Rutten or Chuck Norris??

[@666BIGBLOCK]

Emotional Contagion BAS !

[@Riddco]

L E G E N D