JRE #335 – Bas Rutten

3/11/2013

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This podcast features a conversation with Bas Rutten, a retired MMA fighter and former UFC Heavyweight Champion. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, from Rutten’s fighting career and techniques to his unique training methods and his perspective on the current state of MMA. Provocative and controversial topics include Rutten’s use of alcohol before fights, his thoughts on transgender fighters, and the prevalence of steroid use in MMA. Underlying themes explore the dedication and commitment required to excel in a physically demanding sport, the evolution of fighting techniques, and the complexities of athletic performance enhancement.

Topics

1. Bas Rutten’s Fighting Career and Legacy

• Rutten’s dominance in the early days of MMA, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship and elevating the sport with his technical striking skills.
• His unique fighting style, which blended Dutch kickboxing with elements of judo and grappling, making him a formidable opponent.
• Rutten’s willingness to experiment with unorthodox techniques, like his signature “palm strike” combination, which he believes has been overlooked by other fighters.
• His impact on the evolution of MMA, paving the way for a new generation of fighters who incorporated technical striking into their game.

2. Rutten’s Training Methods and Philosophy

• Rutten’s obsessive dedication to training, often practicing submissions in his sleep and using his wife as a grappling dummy.
• His emphasis on developing stamina as a primary training goal, believing that it is more important than technical skill in a fight.
• His unique approach to building conditioning, which involved intense 1-minute drills followed by short rest periods, pushing his body to its limits.
• His belief in the importance of basic fundamentals, which he continues to teach at his gym, emphasizing that even seasoned pros can benefit from revisiting the basics.

3. Rutten’s Perspective on the Current State of MMA

• Rutten’s admiration for the current generation of fighters, recognizing the high level of skill and athleticism in the UFC.
• His observations on the evolution of MMA techniques, highlighting the increased focus on technical striking, leg kicks, and front kicks to the face.
• His concern about the prevalence of steroid use in MMA, questioning the legitimacy of fighters who test positive for banned substances.
• His thoughts on the controversial issue of transgender fighters, arguing that they should compete against other transgender fighters due to the physical advantages of male bodies.

4. Rutten’s Experience in Pride Fighting Championships

• Rutten’s time in Pride FC, a Japanese MMA promotion known for its unique rules, including soccer kicks and stomps, but no elbows.
• His observations on the differences between Pride and UFC rules, favoring the ring over the cage and discussing the strategic advantages of different environments.
• His memories of the legendary Pride events, including the incredible pageantry and massive crowds that made the experience unforgettable.
• His belief that Pride offered a unique level of excitement and intensity, showcasing some of the greatest fights in MMA history.

5. Rutten’s Views on Weight Cutting in MMA

• Rutten’s concern about the dangerous practice of weight cutting, highlighting the risks of dehydration and potential for brain damage.
• His perspective on the ethics of weight cutting, questioning the legitimacy of fighters who drastically dehydrate themselves to make weight.
• His observations on the physical consequences of weight cutting, including muscle loss, impaired cognitive function, and increased susceptibility to injury.
• His advice to fighters, encouraging them to prioritize their health and well-being over making weight, emphasizing that stamina and technique are more important than cutting down to a lower weight class.

6. Rutten’s Thoughts on Steroid Use and TUEs

• Rutten’s skepticism about TUEs (therapeutic use exemptions) for testosterone replacement therapy, believing that many fighters use it as a performance enhancer rather than for medical reasons.
• His perspective on the hypocrisy of the UFC’s stance on steroid use, highlighting the inconsistency in its enforcement and the perceived prevalence of the practice.
• His concerns about the long-term health implications of steroid use, emphasizing the potential for heart problems, liver damage, and other serious health issues.
• His personal commitment to clean competition, taking pride in the fact that he achieved success without resorting to performance-enhancing drugs.

7. Rutten’s Perspective on the Role of Ego in Fighting

• Rutten’s belief that ego can be a detriment to a fighter’s performance, arguing that it can create unnecessary pressure and hinder a fighter’s ability to perform at their best.
• His personal experience with ego, recognizing that it played a role in his own aggressive fighting style in the early days of his career.
• His advice to fighters, encouraging them to focus on their own performance and not get caught up in trash-talking or pre-fight hype.
• His belief that fighters who are humble and focused on improvement are more likely to achieve long-term success.

8. Rutten’s Encounters with “Fake” Martial Artists

• Rutten’s humorous story about a “street karate guy” who claimed his routine had saved his life seven times, but Rutten exposed the routine as a ridiculous and ineffective display of exaggerated moves.
• His observations on the prevalence of “fake” martial arts instructors, highlighting the dangers of learning from unqualified and dishonest teachers.
• His concern about the potential for harm that can occur when people rely on ineffective or dangerous techniques.
• His emphasis on the importance of finding qualified instructors who have proven their skills in real combat situations.

9. Rutten’s Personal Life and Family

• Rutten’s dedication to his family, acknowledging that he missed many important moments due to his busy fighting career and travel schedule.
• His desire to spend more time with his family now that he has retired from fighting, emphasizing that he wants to make up for lost time.
• His insights into his daughters’ personalities and how they have been influenced by his own martial arts background.
• His lighthearted and open-minded perspective on his daughter’s potential sexuality, embracing her individuality and expressing his support for the LGBTQ+ community.

10. Rutten’s Reflections on the Longevity of MMA Careers

• Rutten’s awareness of the toll that fighting takes on the body, noting the prevalence of back injuries and other health issues among fighters.
• His personal experience with injuries, including a ruptured eyeball and a broken eardrum, highlighting the risks associated with the sport.
• His advice to fighters, encouraging them to take care of their bodies, prioritize stretching, and avoid excessive weight cutting.
• His insights into the complexities of healing and recovery, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help and not ignoring pain.

11. Rutten’s Love for the Sport of MMA

• Rutten’s passion for the sport of MMA, evident in his enthusiastic commentary and insightful analysis.
• His desire to see the sport continue to evolve, recognizing the incredible talent and innovation of the fighters.
• His belief in the potential for MMA to become even more popular and mainstream, attracting new fans and athletes.
• His unwavering respect for the fighters and their commitment to excellence, acknowledging the sacrifices they make to achieve their goals.

Memorable Quotes

• “You gotta just be yourself. You gotta always be yourself.”
• “There’s gotta be a method to your madness, and that’s what separates the men from the the great men from, you know, the other fighters.”
• “I always stayed away from that [sleeping pills] because I always pick it like medication slows me down, and I say, I always stayed away from that.”
• “The best thing I you know, Ryan Parsons, you know, he was with me with the by last fight when I was training together with Kevin Kevin. Kevin Jim, she was there all the time with for real because they said, oh, that’s a probation stuntman in the corner. Hi. He was pretty much every day helping me training, shouting, screaming. and ride parsons with the last fight when you see me. I looked the best I’ve ever looked like, oh my god. You know this is But that was just because that was the first time in my life. I had a a diet. I ate, like, 6, seven times a day, small portions, fish, chicken, rice, all that all that stuff that I never did. I I ate pizza. eye and steaks and beer.”
• “Show me someone who hasn’t made mistakes, and I’ll show you someone who hasn’t done anything.”

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