Interview with MMA legend Bas Rutten

El Guapo, otherwise known as Bas Rutten, is one of the biggest legends in MMA history today. He was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight win streak. From world champion to co host of Inside MMA and HDNET, along with doing commentary for MMA events, Bas is still as relevant in MMA today as he was 10 years ago. Below is an interview done by Strikeforce's Johnny Preston with the man himself, Bas "El Guapo" Rutten.

JP: You’re an integral part of the EA Sports MMA videogame. How was the overall experience of being in the game for you?

BR: It was awesome. When I did the photos for it, I knew I was involved in something great. I always like to do videogames, but the cool thing was that this was not the plan for my involvement in the game. I was supposed to be just another fighter you could fight as or against. But when I walked in and started to do the lines that I was supposed to say as a fighter, I got animated. I can go over-the-top…I don’t care if you’re the Queen of England, I’m still me. After about two hours, they said they were thinking of having me as the host of the game. And it just went from there. I got my gym in the game…the whole nine yards. I think I did a total of six days of talking. And you really have to plan that the right way. The first two days, I did all the screaming, and it really messed up my voice. Next time, we’ll have to do all the screaming at the end (laughs). But it was great, man.

JP: You’ve been around MMA since the very beginning. With all the videogames, commentating, and other media opportunities, what are your thoughts on how far the sport of MMA has come?

BR: It’s gotten big! With guys like me, we had fighting as a job. It’s clear the sport has gotten bigger. It could get even bigger, but really, how much bigger do you want to have it? Do we want to see more and more shows? For me, lots of mixed martial arts is always good. But with so many fighters out there, are there enough slots for them all? There’s no question that the sport is going very strongly, and is going in the direction it needs to go. I was at a local sports store near where I live, and I saw posters of Georges St-Pierre in Under Armour gear. So I think the sport is going really good.

JP: With all the cross-training, and fighters now starting out training all disciplines as kids, how much better do you think fighters are going to get in the coming decades?

BR: We have MMA classes for kids at my gym, actually. As far as how much better the fighters will get, I think you’re going to get guys that make almost no mistakes. We do have fighters like that already, and they know the techniques, but now it’s going to become about getting different setups that your opponent doesn’t know. Everybody knows a guillotine choke, and most know how to get to one. But if you can create a different way to get to that choke, then you’re going to surprise people. However, that will only happen one time, because once it gets used that one time, everyone will see that and start to train for it. So that’s really the only thing that I think might continue to evolve. Well, that and stamina. I think stamina will get better. I think we will see guys in better shape in the future, too.

For more info on Bas, fans can head to BasRutten.com, check out his gym at EliteMMAGym.com, or they can follow him on Twitter at @BasRuttenMMA.



Interview by: Johnny Preston
Source: www.strikeforce.com

 

Jonny Bones Jones: Just like Superman, Kickin Ass and Takin' Names.

Ever since the first time I watched Jon Jones fight in the octagon I knew he had something special. I have a friend who swears by him. He always says that “Jon Jones will be the next champ, you wait and see”. I have to agree with him on this one.

His upcoming fight with Ryan Bader will be just like the rest. Sure, Bader hosts a big threat towards Jon but does Bader possess the skills to defeat possibly one of the greatest fighters to ever step foot into the octagon? I know calling him one of the greatest is premature, but wait until he hits the top heap of the division. Think of how Jon Jones took care of Stephan Bonnar; the man who gave us the greatest MMA fight we have ever seen against Forrest Griffin. Next on the list is the defeat of Jake O'Brien with the Guillotine Choke in the second round. The next three fights ended relatively quick, although, in one fight he was disqualified for an illegal 12 to 6 elbow hit, while in the mount position against Matt Hamill. The next two fights against Brandon Vera and Vladmir Matyushenko were both over in the first round, due to TKO.

In all of these fights Jones has remained a humble man. He portrays the personality of a champion and he hasn't even had a shot. His reaction to the DQ against Matt Hamill was that of an honest man. He made no excuses and took it as it came. He hasn't let the media get to his head. He knows he is the one of the best and doesn't need to talk about it.

Jones' title shot will come; its his destiny. To be in his position at the young age of 23 it is inevitable that he will stand there and face the man that wears the UFC Light Heavyweight Belt. Let it be Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, or his friend and training partner “Suga” Rashad Evans. As a fan I would love to see any of these fights happen. Jones is a potential threat to any of these men.

What stands in Jones' way before he reaches these guys? I think of two names off the top of my head and they are Rich “Ace” Franklin and Forrest Griffin. Two guys that have fought top tier fighters who both have been champions. They both could be the stop sign for Jon Jones. The sad thing though is that they could both be stepping stones for the man as well.

Looking at Jon Jones and the way he carries himself reminds me of a modern day Clark Kent. He is very humble and laid back. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy that could beat the tar out of someone.

Once he steps in the cage and the suit comes off, Jon Jones looks like the one guy that can defeat anyone; Superman. That is, unless Ryan Bader brings the kryptonite on February 5, 2011.

Written by: Adam Buck Clark @ Lets Bang Em' MMA.

Penn Explains His Desire To Stay Active

“I just want to fight. Like I said, I want to be as active as possible. I’m 31 and I want to probably fight until I’m 35. To do that, I don’t want to fight once a year until I’m 35. I want to try to get as many fights in as I can. … Honestly, I don’t feel it’s that hard. I don’t really want to get into it, but it’s the way that I’m training for the fights. I really feel like I understand my body. I’m not trying to tear down my body. I feel like I’m getting the most bang for my buck. Every time I choose a workout, I know exactly what I’m trying to achieve in each workout. If you look at the old boxers -- I know it’s not what we do, but they fought what, 200 to 400 fights in their careers? I know they really needed the money and I’m sure it was hard times and they needed food on their table, but a fighter’s a fighter. … Another motivating factor is if I’m not fighting, if I’m not training, what am I going to be doing? I’m sure I could be hanging out with my daughter and stuff like that, but she’s at the tutor during the daytime and this and that. I’ve got to keep my mind busy.”

On a recent edition of Bruce Buffers "It's Time" radio show, BJ "The Prodigy" Penn explains his motivation to stay as active as possible as he enters the last 3-4 years of his professional career. While BJ remains somewhat vague on his training secrets that he believes can keep him more active than usual, it is clear that if he continues to take guys out like he did at UFC 123 he could literally fight every day. One would have to think that his sparring sessions in preparation for that fight were more taxing on him than the 21 seconds he spent in the cage last Saturday.

Source: www.bjpenn.com

St-Pierre vs Koscheck - UFC 124 - Montreal, Canada

"Here Comes the Boom: O' Canada O O O Canada"

In the coming weeks we are expecting one of the biggest PPV's ever. GSP vs Koscheck 2. I want to start off by saying I am the biggest Anti-Koscheck guy out there and I’m Canadian so this article will slightly be biased.

GSP is one of the greatest champions to ever step foot into the octagon. Josh Koscheck is one of the biggest talkers to ever step foot into the octagon. I think Josh has talked himself into something he can't turn his back on, A Great Canadian Ass Whoopin'. A lot of fighters run their mouth before a fight, its human nature to do so. Koscheck, I feel he thinks too highly of himself. I'm not going to lie, he backs himself up fairly well when he steps in the cage. Can he do to GSP what he says he is going to do?

I doubt it and so do the 34.6 million people that live in Canada.

After Josh Koschecks win over Paul Semtex Daley who I still believe delivered a shot to Josh Koscheck that was deserved but still unsportsmanlike. This all went down in Montreal. After the fight Josh did what Josh does and he began trash talking. He stated that the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to kick the Montreal Canadiens ass just like he is going to do to GSP. Well, Josh Koscheck was very wrong on the Penguins prediction. He also gained a stadium full of people hating on him that will be back on Dec 11^th. So when Josh Koschecks music comes on in the Bell Center he is going to hear what I call “The Boom”. The boom of 21,273 people chanting “Ole Ole Ole Ole” the oh so endearing chant we also hear at Habs games. Will he be able to block this out. Is he preparing mentally for the fight against GSP or the fight against The Bell Centre?

In conclusion, Josh Koscheck has a big fight coming up that does absolutely nothing for him but crush his ego. I don't see him beating GSP. When GSP wins and his hand is raised, the chants of O' Canada will ring throughout the Bell Center and Georges Rush St.Pierre will reign supreme and “The Boom” will walk away with a big smile.

Article written by: Adam Buck Clark - Let's Bang Em' MMA 

UFC 123 Machida vs Rampage Fight Prediction

Fight Night MMA's predictions for UFC 123 Lyoto Machida vs Rampage Jackson & BJ Penn vs Matt Hughes III.

UFC 123 Lyoto Machida vs Rampage Jackson

UFC 123 Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida vs Quinton "Rampage" Jackson trailer.

The MMA Hour: Episode 62

A small clip from the latest episode of the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. For Full episodes you can go here, or you can go strait to the source and watch full episodes and more on www.mmafighting.com, or here. Enjoy!

The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 62

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4



Part 5

UFC 122 Post fight Presser

UFC 122 Marquardt vs Okami fight prediction

Nate "The Great" Marquardt: Bound for Glory?

  Article written by: Adam Buck Clark - Let's Bang Em' MMA

                   In spite of the upcoming bout between Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, I have been thinking of Marquardt's reputation so far in the middleweight division.  With 30 wins out of 41 matches in his MMA career, Marquardt has shown the MMA world his knowledge and  skill of the art of Mixed Martial Arts .  However, something that bothers me is that Marquardt does not efficiently perform at a championship level.  Marquardt has battled his way to the middleweight title, as he fought  Anderson "The Spider" Silva, only to be defeated due to TKO.  A guy that dominates his way to the top, only to be dominated, is something that does not impress me.  I understand that in MMA anything is possible, but Marquardt's overall performance as an MMA fighter reminds me of someone with a similar stature; Kenny "KenFlo" Florian. 

                Inside and outside the Octagon, Florian has been perceived as a dominate figure in MMA. Although, he has dominated his way to the top of the MMA world he was defeated by BJ Penn.  During his fight with Penn, Florian was beat with his signature move, the rear naked choke.  Similarly, as Marquardt has been known to defeat his appointments with KO's and TKO's Silva turned the tables and defeated Marquardt with a TKO victory.  Florian had a second chance to become lightweight champion on August 28, 2010, against Gray Maynard.   Unfortunately, Florian lost the fight, and as we all know that was his chance at securing  his legacy. 

                I know this article is suppose to focus solely on Nate Marquardt but I see a resemblance between Marquardt's and Florian's MMA careers.  This may sound harsh, and I know he has only made it to the championship bout once in his UFC career, but lets get serious for a second. It is clear that Marquardt is following in Florian's footsteps.   He lost his title fight to Silva, and now against a serious opponent,Okami, there is a chance that history can repeat itself.  I myself am a big fan of Marquardt, but I have recently had my doubts about whether Marquardt can perform at a championship level.  I believe that Marquardt has the ability to defeat Okami, but will defeating Okami  make him a possible champion?  What will happen when, and if, he reaches the championship fight?  

Cain velasquez on ESPN

Newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion of the world Cain Velasquez on ESPN. (11/11/10)

Wanderlei Silva's New reality TV Show

Trailer for the first season of a new reality TV series by Wanderlei and his fight team. This should be an interesting look into the lives of real fighters at one of the top level gyms in the world. Wanderlei Silva is one of the best fighters to ever do MMA, and his fight team is chalked full of hungry young fighters, waiting to get their foot in the door at the big show.

Dana White talking about UFC/WEC Merger

UFC president Dana White talks with Ariel Helwani about the merger between UFC and WEC. Helwani asks some good questions about the merger, Jose Aldo turning down the Florian fight, The Undertaker, and more...

WEC: Faber vs Mizugaki Trailer...

Top 10 MMA Rankings

Heavy Weight Division: (206 - 265 lb)

1. Cain Velasquez (9-0) UFC
2. Alistair Overeem (33-11) Strikeforce
3. Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) Strikeforce
4. Junior Dos Santos (12-1) UFC
5. Brock Lesnar (5-2)  UFC
6. Shane Carwin (12-1) UFC
7. Fabricio Werdum (14-4) Strikeforce
8. Frank Mir (14-5) UFC
9. Antonio "Big Nog" Nogueira (36-6) UFC
10. Antonio Silva (14-2) Strikeforce
    
    
    

Light Heavy Weight Division: (186 - 205 lb)

1. Mauricio Rua (19-4) UFC
2. Rashad Evans (15-1) UFC
3. Lyoto Machida (16-1) UFC
4. Quinton Jackson (30-8) UFC
5. Rich Franklin (28-5) UFC
6. Jon Jones (11-1) UFC
7. Ryan Bader (12-0) UFC
8. Gegard Mousasi (30-3) Strikeforce
9. Antonio "Little Nog" Nogueira (19-4) UFC
10. Forrest Griffin (17-6) UFC
    
    
    

Middle Weight Division: (171 - 185 lb)

1. Anderson Silva (27-4) UFC
2. Chael Sonnen (24-11) UFC
3. Vitor Belfort (19-8) UFC
4. Nate Marquardt (30-9) UFC
   
5. Yushin Okami (25-5) UFC
   
6. Wanderlei Silva (33-10) UFC
   
7. Ronaldo Souza (13-2) Strikeforce
8. Dan Henderson (25-8) Strikeforce
9. Damian Maia (13-2) UFC
10. Tim Kennedy (12-3) Strikeforce
    
    
    

Welter Weight Division: (156 - 170 lb)

1. George St Pierre (20-2) UFC
   
2. Jon Fitch (23-3) UFC
   
3. Jake Shields (26-4) UFC
   
4. Josh Koscheck (15-4) UFC
   
5. Matt Hughes (45-7) UFC
   
6. Nick Diaz (22-7) Strikeforce/Dream
7. Martin Kampmann (17-4) UFC
   
8. Carlos Condit (26-5) UFC
   
9. Thiago Alves (16-7) UFC
10. Dan Hardy (23-8)  UFC
    
    
    

 Light Weight Division: (146 - 155 lb)

1. Frankie Edgar (13-1) UFC
   
2. Gilbert Melendez (18-2) Strikeforce/Dream
3. Gray Maynard (10-0) UFC
   
4. BJ Penn (15-7) UFC
5. Ben Henderson (12-1) WEC
6. Shinya Aoki (25-5) Strikeforce/Dream
7. Eddie Alvarez (20-2) Bellator
8. Sean Sherk (36-4) UFC
   
9. Kenny Florian (14-5) UFC
   
10. Takanori Gomi (32-6) UFC
    
    
    

 Feather Weight Division: (136 - 145 lb)

1. Jose Aldo (18-1) WEC
2. Bibiano Fernandes (8-2) Dream
3. Marlon Sandro (17-2) Sengoku
4. Manny Gamburyan (11-5) WEC
5. Mike Thomas Brown (24-6) WEC
6. Masanori Kanehara (16-8) Sengoku
7. Michihiro Omigawa (12-8) Dream
8. Hatsu Hioki (22-4) Sengoku
9. Hiroyuki Takaya (14-8) Dream
10. Josh Grispi (14-1) WEC
    
    
    

 Bantam Weight Division: (135 lb)

1. Dominick Cruz (18-1) WEC
2. Urijah Faber (23-4) WEC
3. Joseph Benavidez (12-2) WEC
4. Brian Bowles (8-1) WEC
5. Miguel Torres (38-3) WEC
6. Norifumi Yamamoto (18-3) Dream
7. Scott Jorgensen (11-3) WEC
8. Takeya Mizugaki (13-4) WEC
9. Wagnney Fabiano (14-2) WEC
10. Masakazu Imanari (20-7) Deep
    
    
    

Bully Beatdown

Mayhem Miller takes on the bully himself this time in one of the best episodes of Bully Beatdown ever!

Ben Henderson vs KJ Noons "WHAT IF"

What if Ben Henderson and KJ Noons were to meet in the cage? Who would come out victorious? Would Henderson's incredible tolerance to pain and crazy submission skills secure the victory over KJ Noons? Or will it be KJ's superior boxing skills that determines the winner of this "what if" match up, brought to you by Fight Night MMA. Who do you think would win fight fans?

Oliveira Can Finally Afford Cheeseburgers...

 
Charles Oliveira spoke to Tatame.com about how much happier his life has become from his new found fame and fortune. Although Oliveira is a rising start, his future is very promising. He is as humble as they get, and yet another super start in the making raining from Brazil. Brazil seems to pump out nothing but the best of the best when it comes to fighters. Here is what he told MMA News:

"Now that I’m on UFC, I can focus exclusively on my trainings, in my future. Before I didn’t have enough money to buy stuff. I have a girlfriend, Thalita, and sometimes I wanted to take her out for a nice meal and I couldn’t afford it. Now I can go out with her and it what I want… So it’s much better ... Literally a dream. Now, I’m not great. But I can buy my stuff. Well, I bought a new closet. My house is humble, who knows me I almost live on a slum. Now, thanks God, if my girlfriend says: 'Baby, I want to eat a cheeseburger with salad today', I can afford it. If my friend comes to ask me: 'Charles, I’m feeling like eating something but I can’t afford it', I go there and help him. I’m a humble guy, I like to help my friends. Thanks God I’m living my dream, a new life."

Source: MMA News

UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 - Florrian vs Dunham

Rumor has it that Kenny Florian will face off against Evan Dunham as the UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 main event. Coming fresh off a very controversial loss to Shawn Sherk at UFC 119, Evan Dunham will be looking to prove a point. Dunham was 11-0 going into the Sherk fight, and most would agree Dunham won his fight against Sherk although the judges did not see it that way.

Kenny Florian on the other hand was just one fight away from contendership, when the Boston native chocked in front of his hometown crowd and suffered a unanimous decision loss to Gray Maynard. With Florian being such a scrapper he might be able to pull out the decision, however I don't see him defeating Dunham via TKO. Although 9 out of 13 wins were by way of submission, it's also highly unlikely he will be able to submit Dunham. Kenny's only hope is to out work Dunham all three rounds.

Evan Dunham has only lost once, and will be looking to prove to the world he is still someone to fear. If he is able to defeat Florian, it will greatly help to overshadow his recent loss to Sherk. Dunham has the tools to beet Florian, especially if Florian takes it to the ground like he so often does. Duham has finished over half his fights on the ground, and is more than capable of submitting the talented wrestler. This match will go to the fighter that wants it more and is not afraid to pull the trigger. I call Evan Dunham via 2nd round submission, or unanimous decision.

Here is the rest of the fight card for UFC: Fight for the Troops 2:

Mike Swick vs. David Mitchell

Mike Guymon vs. DaMarques Johnson

Melvin Guillard vs.Yves Edwards

Matt Mitrione and Tim Hague

Kenny Florian vs. Evan Dunham

Rashad Evans looking to "KO" belt holder Shogun

Light heavyweight contender Rashad "Sugar" Evans recently stated in an interview that he is looking to win via KO against UFC belt holder Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Rashad Evans make his UFC debut by winning the 2nd season of TUF, and went on from there to become the UFC light heavyweight champion before suffering his first loss to lyoto Machida.

Looking to get his belt back, Evans is wanting to win in spectacular fashion by out striking the Brazilian chut boxer. Although Rashad Evans has a wrestling background, he has been developing his striking more and more with each fight. He was able to KO Chuck Liddell with a vicious right hook, and out point heavy handed striker Rampage Jackson with crisp strategic striking. Shogun has had surgery and has been out for almost half a year, but is expected to make a return and be at 100% for his fight with Evans.

With both fighters taking so much time off strategies will be harder to formulate for both teams. No one is for certain which Rashad and which Shogun will show up to the 5 round title fight. If Shogun is 100%, knocking him out will be a hard task for Rashad Evans to accomplish. But if the Brazilian shows up not at 100% and ring rust becomes a factor, the former TUF competitor might be able to out point him with his quick in and out of the pocket striking. But the big question is, can Rashad "Sugar" Evans actually KO one of the best strikers in the UFC light heavyweight division? FNMMA is not so sure, what do you think fight fans?