Bas Rutten is a legend in mixed martial arts, a former UFC heavyweight champion and King of Pancrase, and he's now one of the most respected trainers and commentators in MMA.So for all the critics -- and there are many -- of EliteXC's street fighter-turned-MMA fighter, Kimbo Slice, the fact that Rutten is Kimbo's trainer is the one thing that gives Kimbo an air of respectability. And Rutten speaks very highly of Kimbo.
On a conference call to promote Kimbo's fight with Ken Shamrock next month, I asked Rutten whether Kimbo has the potential to be a top 10 heavyweight some day, and if so how long it will take.
"He's not far away," Rutten said. "I'd put him up against everybody."
In fact, Rutten said he thinks Kimbo compares favorably to Brock Lesnar, the former NCAA heavyweight wrestling champ who will fight Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title in November.
Although Rutten spoke highly of Lesnar and described him as "a tough guy," he added that he thinks Kimbo is "more well rounded," and a more complete mixed martial arts fighter.
Personally, I don't buy it. I think that if they ever fought, Lesnar's superior strength and ground skills would allow him to finish Kimbo with a ground and pound assault within the first minute or two of the first round. But Rutten sees Kimbo as his protege, and he'll defend Kimbo against the critics.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-11-2008 @ 5:49PM
Pete Linn said...
Wow. Bas is speaking more like salesman with a vested interest than an objective commentator there. Kimbo can punch hard and has a solid chin, but aside from that, he has yet to demonstrate additional skills that would allow him to be described as "well rounded".
And yes, Brock would take down Kimbo quickly and pound him out quickly.
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9-11-2008 @ 5:33PM
Drew said...
MDS, did he really sound like he believed that crap? Kimbo a top ten heavyweight? More well rounded against Brock Lesnar? Maybe James Thompson is better than what he showed.
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9-11-2008 @ 8:42PM
Michael David Smith said...
Drew, Bas sounded sincere, but I think that's just because he's a good BS artist. He can't possibly believe Kimbo is as good as Lesnar -- he's smarter than that.
9-15-2008 @ 4:47AM
Cyrus said...
Brock is fighting for the UFC heavyweight title. What is Kimbo doing? Oh yes. He is fighting Ken freaking Shamrock for the title of least dangerous man. Please. Brock is not a top 10 heavyweight, but I'd put him in top 15. Kimbo can lose to so many people it's not funny. I wonder how long Kimbo would last against Fedor? More than Sylvia? I doubt it.
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9-15-2008 @ 7:53PM
rhys said...
bas,
wha is going on with bas?
i used to idolize the guy, he used to be the reason i loved MMA so much.
but at the moment, he just seems like a marketing machine for kimbo, who so far hasn't shown us much more then the ability to look tough and gangsta, hit hard and take a punch.
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9-12-2008 @ 7:42AM
Jack said...
obviously, bas has taken too many head shots during his career
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9-12-2008 @ 2:38PM
kevin said...
if bas rutten is so sure he would put him up against anyone why hasnt kimbo had a fight with someone with a positive record or not coming of like 5 loses? there is plenty of people that would knock him out i wouldnt be suprised if the call out chuck liddell now that he lost his last 3 out of 4.
Ray Mercer-MMA debut
James thompson- 14-8 lost last 6 of 8 before kimbo
Tank Abbott- 9-13 before kimbo dont need specifics
Bo Cantrell- 10-10 came off 4 losses before kimbo
wonder where im getting at bas giving him chumps maybe?
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9-12-2008 @ 11:14PM
Elite 1 said...
Kimbo is the man. I know hes only gettin better. Would love to see him knock out Brock Lesnar.
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9-14-2008 @ 2:21AM
Russ said...
Bas Rutten wouldn't say something so stupid! Kimbo got he *** handed to him by a no body months ago. Brock is getting a title shot! So there is a BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 FIGHTERS! Kimbo is a boring, ignorant, stereotypical, street thug. Where Brock actually trained to be a fighters and wrestler. So I don't think Bas Rutten is that dumb, unless he is getting some money out of the comment.
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9-14-2008 @ 10:05AM
Joe T said...
Kimbo...well, it creates excitement. I liked him better on youtube.
http://www.fromthecage.com
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10-07-2008 @ 3:47PM
Ron Benson said...
What's Bas gonna say, "my fighter sucks?"
Of course he said that Kimbo matches up and that he'd be a top 10 heavyweight, but he wouldn't be a top 10 heavyweight if all the other heavyweights up and died.
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