MMA
Bas Rutten will host the inaugural Bare Knuckle PPV on November 9
He was the UFC heavyweight champion before Dana White, caught the attention of many fight fans thanks to his standout performances in the Pancrase organization, and at the age of 53, he can know that he was an inspiration to a legion of teenage fighters. shooters who want to rise in the MMA sphere.
Today, Bas Rutten is branching out a bit, entering a sphere he admits he had to do some research to see if he wanted to enter.
Rutten was elected president of the World Bare Knuckle Federation; will be commentating on their opener in Wyoming on Friday, November 9. “Return of the Titans” – that’s how they titled the promotion covering about 14 fights, which will air on Worldwide PPV Live.
MMA fans of a certain age will be familiar with some of the names on the card: Phil Baroni, the Modern York trash man, returns to the fight, and UFC fans will know his nemesis, Chris Leben, who has a track record of not being afraid to shoot his lip. Former NFL player Shawne Merriman was scheduled to participate, but Rutten said it was a scratch and they hope to come back another time.
In the main event, “The Irishwoman” Brennan Ward will face Johnny Hendricks, another UFC alumnus. For the record, Wyoming is the only state that does not currently have a bare knuckle problem, which is why other BN organizations have made the cut there. (David Feldman’s Bareknuckle Fighting Championship crew has run two shows and appears to be fighting the good fight, staying alive and spreading the word while remaining solvent by putting their fights on pay-per-view.)
So how did Rutten get involved?
CEO Tom Stankiewicz and several co-workers approached Rutten, wondering if he would like to jump on board.
“I started Googling, wondering if it was sheltered,” Rutten told me over the phone from his home in Cali. Once he was sure that this was not a solution available to everyone and could accelerate the onset of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in participants, he said: “OK, I’ll be content to do it.”
The Dutch native jumped into the company after planning had already begun and was surprised that the salary promises fell tiny. So he recommended adjusting it. And now he’s in a state where he’s excited to watch the fights unfold. They will do five two-minute rounds and maybe adapt it to title fights. Yes, Rutten said, he is devastated by Merriman’s loss. “I saw him training; he’s a freak athlete. But it really is a great sport – safer than boxing when it comes to CTE.
Rutten won’t be willing, if you’re wondering, to step in and waltz himself. His last fight was in 2006 and, he said, he hasn’t sparred once since then. That’s because he had four neck surgeries after his injury, so yes, he’s coming out of the team pretty well. This also applies to bar fights. His Wiki says he’s been to a few. True? Rutten laughs and says he’s a lover, not a fighter. He is occasionally tormented by bouncers or tough guys who know his reputation. “I always defend myself, I never start,” he insists and shares a story about a bib from Sweden. The police came, there were knockouts, there were arrests. He reported that he had been involved in maybe 20 bar fights in his life, including his time as a bouncer. But that’s past tense, and he’s content to be able to focus on the quality of the event in Wyoming. “I’m a very content guy! So yes, it will be a top-notch performance. We have a great producer. Very stylish. The cost is a reasonable $29.95.
We should look for a free stream with three or four fights leading up to the PPV, Rutten said. He also noted that the women’s fight, which pits Christina Marks against Jasmine Clarkson, should also be solid.
Bottom line: Rutten is a survivor, so it’s not much of a surprise that he enters this realm. Is open to fresh experiences and likes to remain open to fresh concepts. The man sells a device that he believes will support with asthma, and his personality makes him a convincing salesman. This should support WBKFF differentiate itself from other operators looking to transform an venerable sport into a fresh sensation. Or at least make it massive enough to give some athletes who have the desire to fight in their DNA another viable zone to operate in.
Even with 10 consecutive wins inside the Octagon, UFC interim featherweight champion Max “Blessed” Holloway never had the opportunity to fight for the undisputed championship.
That will all change on Saturday when Holloway faces UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in a unification fight at UFC 212 at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This will be only the second time in his career that Holloway will headline a pay-per-view card, but he is extremely confident of entering enemy territory in pursuit of his lifelong dream.
“I’ve been in the spotlight in my career, I’ve had a five-round fight outside the UFC and I’m ready for anything,” Holloway said during a recent conference call.
“I’m just ready to show the world what I’m about and why I’m the best fighter in this division.”
“Blessed” has finished seven opponents in his 10-fight winning streak, including a TKO over former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis to become interim champion.
Holloway and Aldo are two of the best all-around strikers in MMA today, but there aren’t many other similarities both inside and outside the Octagon. What they have in common, however, is that their last defeat came against UFC’s most recognizable star, “Notorious” Conor McGregor.
For Holloway, losing to McGregor four years ago was a good thing. He regrouped, became a more complete fighter and put together one of the greatest winning streaks in UFC history.
However, despite his incredible success at the championship level over the past few years, the UFC has been reluctant to put its hype machine behind Holloway, much to the surprise of many in the media and fans.
Even with this lack of pressure, Holloway is very excited to reign supreme in a division that has only had two undisputed champions in its compact history.
“I just can’t wait to do the damn thing; get in there and fight one of the best of all time,” Holloway said. “He is one of the greatest in our sport, but it is time for a up-to-date era.”
“I have been an underdog my whole life. I do not care. I shouldn’t be here. Max Holloway shouldn’t be talking to any of you. I shouldn’t be here. It is what it is. “Actions speak louder than words, and I have done many things.”
Can’t find a copy of THE RING magazine? To try Here Or…
SUBSCRIBE
You can subscribe to print and digital editions of THE RING magazine by clicking the banner or here. You can also order the current issue, which is on newsstands, or back issues, using our subscription page. On the cover this month: Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko
How much money did Mike Tyson make from losing Jake Paul as YouTuber mocks the boxing icon
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul FACE OFF – Fighters clash at press conference
David Haye Gives Controversial Fury-Usyk Prediction
-
MMA6 months agoMax Holloway is on a mission at UFC 212
-
Interviews1 month agoCarl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
Interviews1 month agoArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
MMA6 months agoCris Cyborg ready to add a UFC title to her collection
-
Boxing4 months agoLucas Bahdi ready to test his skills against Ashton Sylve
-
MMA6 months agoThe Irish showed up in droves at the Mayweather-McGregor weigh-in
-
Interviews6 months agoI fell in love with boxing again
-
Opinions & Features1 month agoDmitry Bivol: The story so far