UFC 7: Marco Ruas vs Paul Varelans | September 8, 1995

Marco Ruas brought a bad-ass nickname "The King of the Streets" and a well-rounded Luta Livre skillset to his first UFC event. The Brazilian collided the 6ft 8inch 'Polar Bear' Paul Varelans in the tournament final and UFC 7 fight of the night. Access classic UFC events on UFC FIGHT PASS! Sign Up Now: ufc.ac/3AofDIW
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[@Kveerforever]

You know shit's about to go down when the UFC clock increases instead of going to zero 😂

[@thekongstocks]

[@derekblackthorne]

Marco Ruas was the FIRST well-rounded fighter in the world! We still don't know his real age! lol RIP Paul Varelans

[@InvisibleHotdog]

He wasn't the first in the world, he was the first in the UFC. Look up Shooto, they were ahead of their time before the UFC even existed

[@sleigh4019]

Ummm yeah Nope Don Frye was there before him by like 2 years

[@ThePinkMan]

@@sleigh4019 Ruas debuted in UFC 7. Frye debuted in UFC 8, a few months later.

[@rankumr1.1]

Indeed

[@tryme9914]

​@@InvisibleHotdogWow! You were not kidding

[@OscillatorCollective]

Proof that low leg kicks are effective! THIS is the UFC that I grew up watching.

[@denissssss8579]

Just do low leg kicks all the time man.

[@dmentalproductions2215]

You know it , When nobody knew about it it was so much more fun once it blew up they took the fun out of it

[@damienholland8103]

When I was in Jujitsu we very lightly tapped each other on the thigh with shin kicks a few times. It was so painful I had to stop after the same spot was hit a second time. I think people who have never been shin kicked twice in the same spot will never realize just how devastating it is -- you might be able to handle the first one but the second one will have you hobbling.

[@damienholland8103]

@@dmentalproductions2215 I'm surprised I don't see MMA fighters use it more often. Calf kicks have made a resurgence over the past few years, though.

[@billycole852]

Same here. Been watching since numero uno when my dad rented them all from blockbuster. Still get called a casual by 16 year olds in the comments.

[@chriswelcome8102]

The thing that impresses me the most is Ruas had like 16 minutes across his 2 fights before this and Varelans had 2 minutes across his. He was also nearly 35 here, 10 years older than Varelans

[@juliomiguel6597]

shit of a fighter, at least here. . In a fight street Varelans would have crushed him.

[@williamk2257]

Ya those guys were Iron Men. Doing multiple matches in one night some fighting what close to an hour if they lasted til the end with no early stoppages. Amazing athletes! Edit: with no weight divisions too.

[@Rya_N33]

He was also on steroids

[@pedroernesto5283]

Marco Ruas.... such a savage... So much history behind the rivalry between Luta Livre and the Gracies back in the 80`s and 90`s. I remember when Ruas came to our academy in Rio de Janeiro... We`ve managed to get a VHS tape showing Marco Ruas training where he would run up a 200 stairs up, while carrying a guy on his back... Back and forth.

[@IgoByaGo]

Rest in Piece Paul. One of the best friends I have ever had.

[@anthonygerber8261]

One of the sports pioneers. Respect

[@Franchesco55]

fake

[@IgoByaGo]

@@Franchesco55 naa. I met him in Alaska. Dude was one of the best people I ever met. He went through some stuff, finally started to get through it, started a podcast, caught Covid 19 and died in the hospital.

[@dieselwrench3621]

@@IgoByaGoPeople always want to call you fake in the comments, but what do they know? Most likely jealousy. RIP Paul.

[@IgoByaGo]

@@dieselwrench3621 yeah, I just want people to know that Paul was an awesome human being. It really sucks how he passed.

[@flvv3792]

Fascinating to see those old UFC fights with todays eyes

[@tonyattardo9350]

It’s wild

[@mariovitorlauande2706]

Marco Ruas was beyond his time

[@BruteStrength99]

Best breakdown of a fighter I ever saw. So systematic. King of The Streets!

[@jadizm]

I rented this from Hollywood video in 1999 in the sports section and was very satisfied with my $4.99 for two day rental! Ruas was bad ass because we all saw Gracie and what it REALLY meant to fight on the ground but Ruas said "Hold my beer!".

[@raulmontes2888]

Vitor made some noise as Young fighter too at that time

[@billycole852]

Fuck yeah dude, Hollywood video was the shit. We had one that was previously called Take it Home Video down the road from my house as a kid. Had the black curtain in the corner with the "adult content"

[@israelCommitsGenocide]

I wish I found the UFC and Jiu Jitsu earlier, these were the days ppl still thought the fake hollywood martial arts were real which is insane to think about. Hard to believe theres still clowns out there practicing fake martial arts and bullshido.

[@sergiocamargo605]

King of The Streets! in the Hall of fame, please, the guy is legend..

[@ivancosta502]

O DANA NUNCA COLOCARIA O PAI DO MMA NO HALL DA FAMA, SENÃO TERÍAMOS ROYCE, CAMPEÃO DOS PRIMEIROS UFCS, VÍTOR CAMPEÃO MAIS JOVEM DO UFC E MARCO RUAS INVENTOR DO MMA, MUITA VAIDADE E ESTADUNIDENSES SÃO ARROGANTES

[@rodriga1985]

What???!! He's not in the HOF? THAT'S a fuckin robbbery.

[@sergiocamargo605]

@@ivancosta502 O Royce foi uns dos primeiros a entrar no Hall da fama. É uma questão de tempo para eles entrarem, logo logo, sim eu concordo em uma pequena parte com você, cara os norte americanos, veem as coisas de uma forma pequena inclusive sobre o mundo, mas não é todos de lá que são assim, também há pessoas boas, um exemplo: e o Glover ele foi aceito lá, mas demorou muito por causa da politica de imigração, que em todos os países hoje tem dificuldade de resolver. E sobre o Dana na mente dele o melhor lutador e o que vende mais, por isso se você ver na internet a o meme dele com a camisa do dinheiro($), que reflete sobre o que ele fala sobre o lutador que ele acha interessante. Sim dinheiro move muito, mas lutador mostra mais do que o dinheiro em si na hora h de lutar, sim queremos o Marcos Ruas no Hall da fama e o Pedro Rizzo, eles merecem muito.

[@sergiocamargo605]

@@rodriga1985 Tell that to Dana, because is a It's a shame, the guy is a pioneer and one of the fathers of MMA, there are a lot of people who do what he does today. a fact about this UFC fight that the tournament won, he fought the tournament with a broken hand, and won.

[@pecanhajeffpecanha8062]

Pai do MMA moderno marco Ruas 🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@bouboule180]

Pai do MMA moderno foi rickson Gracie

[@jfreitas9492]

Teve um desinformado aí, que tentou dar o título de Pai do MMA para o Rickson "fujão" Gracie. Aquele que só lutava Jiu Jitsu e que Fugiu dos grandes lutadores do Pride e só lutou com moscas mortas. Alguém explica para esse jovem o que significa a sigla MMA. MARCUS RUAS: Se chutar e socar eu agarro; Se agarrar eu chuTo e soco; Não tem saída.

[@Braz438]

​@@bouboule180Rickson Gracie não é pai de MMA moderno coisa nenhuma! Ele só sabia jj,não sabia da um soco nem um chute,só pegou pangaré a vida toda ,11 lutas contra frangos,fugiu do Kerr do ruas do vovchanchyn do coleman do rutten etc.. Pode ser lenda no jj mas no vale tudo só pegou galinha morta.

[@trd7128]

Esse cara é guerreiro, parecia uma criança contra adulto, peso médio contra pesados , se fosse hoje em dia esse cara iria ser um fenômeno em sua categoria

[@Braz438]

Aí vc exagerou!!! Ele só fez 15 lutas contra pangarés! Não pegou os melhores da época.​@@trd7128

[@lamosos]

"I think that proves that striking can be used in the UFC." Man, that early commentary was something else 🤣

[@LooseCan88]

Varelans did pretty well here considering, a gamer , willing to take it and keep coming forward, Respect to both men.

Ruas the First MMA fighter. 🇧🇷

[@cjdig86]

Don’t insult Royce Gracie

[@xcoyco]

Ruas chopping trees down!

[@Philo68]

I’ve trained with Marco several times. His kicks have to be felt to be believed.

[@richardkimble1191]

No thank you, I believe you.

[@jaysharp789]

Ruas was so impressive. He was a legit well rounded mma fighter

[@donjohn2695]

REST IN PEACE Paul varelans

[@getulioalmeida8071]

Ele morreu?

[@quaresma9003]

​​@@getulioalmeida8071sim do covid, nao fez vaccinacao

[@davidjones8043]

@@getulioalmeida8071CV19/vaxx

[@LostLost-no2ku]

Умер к сожалению ещё в 21 году ​@@getulioalmeida8071

[@colinchesbrough5772]

If fence holding would have already been illegal at this point, Paul would have died in the first 5 minutes

[@kennethpaulley6436]

I like how the old UFC had that half circle the fighters had to stay in before the fight started

[@johnman8647]

I remember watching this on a VHS tape from my mom's video store when I was around 16. 😂

[@x-Musashi-x]

Oh god the VHS 😂. I can still smell the inside of the machine and the tapes

[@metalhardrock]

El primer peleador realmente MIXTO del UFC. El primero en mostrar la efectividad de las low kicks en la jaula. Un pionero de las MMA. Ruas era un peso pesado, pero al lado del "oso polar" Varelans parecía un peso medio.

[@marcosviana7274]

Está geração nunca entenderá a emoção de assistir os primeiros UFC. Vale tudo !!!! Víamos Marco Ruas na praia , nas ruas do Rio de Janeiro.

[@reymc55]

"...that proves that striking can be used in the UFC" - Don "The Dragon" Wilson 1995. Boy, you were definitely right!!!

[@fumanboy]

Remaster all these old events to 4k!

[@plastique45]

They were taped in standard definition Betacam. It's not like 35 mm motion picture film.

[@fumanboy]

@@plastique45 They can all still be remastered to 4k resolution using AI.

[@devriestown]

THE KING 🤴 OF THE STREETS 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@anivallopez2409]

Marco Ruas the killer machine

[@anklesoncredentials]

there's something truly awesome about the first ones. grinds my gears with knowledge of todays rules. no rounds is too sweet.

[@niceguy1774]

Michael Buffer is SO much better than Bruce.

[@billycole852]

I've always felt the same. I can't take Bruce seriously at all, and i ain't buying the "tough guy" elevator stories.

[@MrStivi1981]

This is when ufc really was about mma. Today's fight style for ufc...everyone has very similar training. Back then, it was multi discipline.

[@rockzen8050]

lol it was not about MMA its was about style vs style you muppet, and that was from disillusioned Traditionalist that would teach horrible and often non feasible techniques as well as folks didnt train in all forms, Todays Fighters are more MMA mixed martial artists lol Muppet comment from someone who either didnt train or trained in some Mc Dojo bs lmao

[@Craig_Doll]

😂 what the hell are you talking about

[@turntablesrockmyworld9315]

@@Craig_Doll He's correct. I was training various martial arts from late 70s to early 2000s and the early rise of UFC I think he means was much more style vs. style. Now it is paired down with a focus on a few techniques suited to the ruleset trained by all.

[@seanmatthewking]

The fighters still vary a lot in their skillet and what techniques they bring to the table. But sure, everyone at least knows the basics of most relevant disciplines.

[@alanvictor5103]

Um verdadeiro Clássico! Uma demonstração de técnica, inteligência e Valentia!

[@user-Tenebrea]

Те времена, когда рекорд бойца менялся прямо в этот же день. Охренеть

[@Andre.M.Cardoso_]

Low kicks poderosos, hoje quem melhor faz isso é o Poatan

[@nfmg2265]

Pesquisa Pedro Rizzo ,pupilo do Marco ruas. Foi o melhor em matéria de low kicks

[@Andre.M.Cardoso_]

@@nfmg2265 vc leu o comentário ? Viu a parte que diz "HOJE quem melhor faz isso ..." Se atente ao HOJE

[@nfmg2265]

@@Andre.M.Cardoso_ eu me atentei!!! Considero o Pedro Rizzo o mais brutal e eficiente de todos nesse quesito. Vc já viu as lutas dele ??? Vc já era nascido no UFC I ? Vc já era nascido qdo Bruce lee faleceu? Já ouviu falar no PRIDE ( Japão) ? Dan Severn Randy culture Marc Coleman Don frye ???????

[@Andre.M.Cardoso_]

@@nfmg2265 tenho dvds do pride e vi todos esses caras lutar, mas parece que não sua mente iluminada vc falar tudo isso vai mudar minha opinião kkkkkk então se vc não conseguiu interpretar não adianta falar isso tudo, msm porque o Pedro Rizzo ainda luta hoje ? Não neh, então SIM QUEM MELHOR FAZ ISSO HOJE É O POATAN

[@Andre.M.Cardoso_]

@@nfmg2265 esse é o mal da pessoa que quer impor opinião, "ain assistiu ..., ain viu...'" estamos falando do agora e não de décadas passadas

[@SrrehemViniciuscaldeira]

Lutava demais. Marcos Ruas . Campeao peso pesado UFC 7

[@tonyattardo9350]

Couture was very honest about the power of Ruas’ kicks, it left a dent in his leg that never healed.

[@andrewriff6283]

Wrong

[@davidjones8043]

@@andrewriff6283you’re wrong

[@dragunov8007]

I like the freedom of attire back in the days

[@davidjones8043]

Remember the boxer that wore one glove? 😂

[@QuendonWright]

The 🐐 Michael buffer

[@AneudiD78]

I'm so glad that this sport evolved so much over the years because Paul Varelans holding the top of the cage would not have happened now. Varelans at 300lbs vs Ruas at 210lbs is insane!

[@SSO1025RET]

I’m glad they changed the rule where you can’t hang onto the fence like that

[@technomastertrader33]

Ruas Hall of fame!!

[@TheSadayuki123]

Ruas !!!! Do Brasil !! Much respect for the legend

[@fabiofbe]

Marco Ruas MONSTRO!!!

[@bselay]

King of street. Respect master Marco Ruas Real first MMA fighter Hall the fame of UFC

[@주재형-q3m]

" Marco Ruas " is 80s 90s World True Real Street Fighter

[@williamrobinson604]

This is one the most memorable fights in MMA history for me. Like Gordeau vs Tuli, and Hackney vs Yarborough. It takes so much skill and confidence to take down a huge opponent. It doesn't happen much in everyday life.

[@christopherbako]

I wish I had a body like Marco Ruas.😊

[@johntom665]

Not hard to achieve just a little dedication you can do that.

[@RomeroMero255]

@@johntom665A LITTLE??

[@Delta-gx4fm]

@@johntom665Depending on where you start. Not hard to achieve? For some people it’s just about impossible. Or would take dedication and determination the vast majority of people do not have. I’m a fitness professional so I know what I’m talking about.

[@ChrisCre8tor]

@@Delta-gx4fm that's good genetics buddy

[@Delta-gx4fm]

@@ChrisCre8tor It’s likely good genetics. That body can be achieved without good genetics but it would require a lot of maintenance.

[@coldc7]

Varlens always reminded me of a gigantic, oversized, toddler, plodding across the cage.

[@granddaddyofthemall6320]

😂😂🤣🤣😭😭

[@nocontratempodoalgoritmo4810]

Lenda! Luta livre! Grande Marco Ruas! Brasil! 🇧🇷

[@paulandlesson]

one of my favorite fights in UFC history.

[@hannesgreyling5654]

Brilliant

[@ZBR_ProXP]

This match made me a big fan back in the day. He chopped him down like a tree.

[@rodriga1985]

Ah yes..Marco HOO-HAS. I remember him quite well. 😆 🤣 😂

[@gor7411]

То не просто бой, - то два могучих,крепких парня,на ринге занимаются любовью!

[@bauerj3398]

One of the biggest 'if only' fights was Ruas-Frye. Would have been fun to watch.

[@user-ix2xu6nt3d]

Ruas era brabo.

[@JohnSmith-ks5xw]

The deadly foot stomp!

[@plastique45]

Before the UFC started, I thought Kung Fu was the deadliest art, had no idea what grappling was outside of Judo flips, had never heard of Muay Thai or leg kicks in fighting. How the UFC changed perception in martial arts and combat sports in general is incredible.

[@rockzen8050]

Smart man you learned to adapt mean while plenty of Folks still pay to get a black belt in some bs Karate (not that there arent legit forms of karate for fighting) and even now its happening to some MMA gyms watering down BJJ and wrestling and not teaching proper self defense but rather sport defense which can help in a real street fight but is not the best its sad we are coming full circle

[@StandWatie1862]

​@@rockzen8050wouldn't be the first time. Catch wrestling started it all

[@mattt2444]

i remember ufc2 and Fred Etish getting the semi final alternate entry... this was the fight that made me a fight fan

[@robmadrigal714]

Marco teaches mma class every Friday evening at my old mma gym in Orange County

[@davidjones8043]

Good to hear he’s still at it!

[@rockyruane9379]

Varelans was a human fucking Soccer ball

[@JoesWine-u4x]

I took a seminar with Marco a few months ago. He showed me a cross face move outta the clinch. Literally felt like a 12 inch pipe wrench getting raked across my face. Scary scary man

[@BudSchnelker]

Seeing those shots of the lower gold seats in the Aud makes me nostalgic.

[@BernardoWLopes]

"he just has to block it, it's very simple!" old ufc commentary is so funny

[@Noodleydoo]

Wow--it's crazy how much more skill today's MMA guys have, in general

[@JBaprendiz]

Ruas era uma máquina de lutar ! Com toda essa diferença de peso ganhou a luta.

[@ShinobiNeon]

I hated Ruas growing up. The guy destroyed all my favorite fighters effortlessly. As an adult, I can see how far ahead of his time he was in the ring. He was using the muay thai wrestling hybrid style so many fighters use today. One thing I hated about Ruas was how he lost to someone via decision and refused to accept it, complaining about "politics" when he could've just manned up and took his loss with grace. I really loved seeing Alexander Otsuka destroy him in Pride.

[@DouglasBuenoGomes]

He's Sick that day.

[@chrislickteig5986]

The size difference 😂Might as well be Shawn Omaley vs Brock Lessner haha

[@StefanTufoi590]

Lol the blatant fence grab perfectly legal

[@FrankCostanza-u4b]

I saw this when it first came out on VHS back in the day. That whole competition that year was excellent. And this fight was great. It's just strange that the big guy let his legs keep getting hit.

[@1728CHUMCHUMN]

Crazy we had micheal buffer first then his brother bruce buffer

[@metalhardrock]

BIG JOHN ya estaba ahí. Otra leyenda del UFC.

[@Purification-db2zp]

*Época raiz do vale tudo, hoje só lutadores Nutellas, preocupados mais com sua redes sociais*

[@Claudio-gk8jt]

Brazilian's from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 CHAMA 🔥.

[@fabianrr]

Marco Ruas UFC Hall of Fame

[@ПоискПалеонтологияОкаменелости]

Класс.👍🏻вот раньше бои были👍🏻👍🏻

[@DouglasBuenoGomes]

They Already fight 2 times that night and are badly injuried and Tired the Casuals doesn’t understand these guys are legendary warriors.

[@karolryba9462]

Vynikajúci zápas.

[@kurbstompkitty]

0:30 camera guy checking out that gyatt

[@freerunbg1]

I was 5 months old when this was recorded.

[@freerunbg1]

It's like they paid 2 random people from the local bar to fight against each other.

[@pauldavis5665]

The fight where the effectiveness of leg kicks was discovered.

[@hux5548]

more fun than present UFC

[@tommyw.7855]

The original BMF!!! 👍🏽

[@bluewendigo672]

MARCO RUA the real BMF

[@LucasLimao01]

Marco Ruas, o Pai do MMA!

[@blackbox888]

No weight categories or time limits, UFC should have stuck with that.

[@aumagsinvestimentos5256]

MARO RUAS THE BEST FIGHTER OF BRAZIL IN LL TIMES.

[@Braz438]

Não é não Na frente dele tem Wanderley, Anderson, minotauro,Machida ,poatan,etc etc..

[@gdentertainment5166]

Marco Ruas is the man!

[@carefreeogato5334]

Ruas é muito forte....um monstro

[@chaseadams5037]

As a genuine UFC and MMA fan of over 20yrs... I'd absolutely love to see the UFC pay homage to its old school OG fighters by putting them in UFC games! 🤷

[@8-bite393]

Record : Most time leaning the head against the back of the opponent

[@liveseg]

Vale tudo literalmente.

[@adrianamt3604]

Pra min esses caras tudos foram e são os melhores o mestre Ruas tem quê hall da fama sim.

[@ernestospironellijunior4803]

Marcos Ruas sou seu fã 🏆🏆🏆🏆🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@peacue7431]

Marco was Brilliant!

[@ClaytonTownley]

Leg hurt for a week. Pride hurt for a lifetime.

[@Helo.Sticht]

Marcos rua tem que tá Hall da fama do ufc

[@alexkaplan7533]

UFC gerçekten kendini çok geliştirdi.

[@JeoffreyJeoffrey-z5i]

C est tellement beau ❤😂

[@LongDuckDong-mm2wc]

The bigger they are, the jarder they fall. Great display of athleticism.

[@gunterdelima5699]

quando marcos ruas deus os 3 primeiros chutes, varelans sentiu a perna, e também que havia arrumado um problema kkkkkkkkkk