JRE 139 · June 27, 2024
Bas Rutten
Who is Bas Rutten?
Joe is joined by Bas Rutten: a retired mixed martial artist, UFC Hall of Famer, actor, inventor, and author. www.basrutten.com
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Bas Rutten discusses his legendary MMA career and transition to commentary and acting
- 02The conversation covers fighting techniques, striking fundamentals, and what makes great fighters
- 03Bas shares stories from his time in the UFC and experiences fighting internationally
- 04Discussion about the evolution of MMA and how training has changed over the decades
- 05Bas talks about his various business ventures including his website and product offerings
- 06Joe and Bas dive into the mental and physical aspects of professional combat sports
- ▶Bas discusses his transition from fighting to commentary and media0:05:00
- ▶Breakdown of striking technique and fundamental fighting principles0:15:30
- ▶Stories from fighting in different countries and rule sets throughout his career0:35:00
- ▶Discussion about modern MMA training versus how fighters trained during Bas's era0:55:00
- ▶Bas talks about his various business ventures and website basrutten.com1:20:00
The Show
Joe brings on Bas Rutten, one of the most respected figures in MMA history and a guy who's basically done it all. He's a former UFC heavyweight champion, Hall of Famer, commentator, actor, and entrepreneur who's stayed relevant across multiple decades in combat sports. This is a pretty legendary conversation because Bas has this unique ability to break down fighting in a way that actually makes sense, and he's naturally hilarious about it.
The episode dives deep into Bas's fighting philosophy and approach to striking and grappling. He's got this infectious enthusiasm when talking about technique, and you can tell he genuinely loves helping people understand what makes effective fighting work. Bas doesn't just throw out theories either, he pulls from actual experience fighting the absolute best guys in the world.
They talk about his fighting career spanning different eras and different rule sets, which is actually crucial context for understanding his legacy. Bas fought when things were way wilder and less regulated than they are now. He gives perspective on how fighters today are more specialized but also more refined in their approach.
Basically the whole vibe is that classic JRE energy where it's two people who genuinely respect each other just talking about what they know. Bas comes across as humble despite being one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time, and he's more interested in sharing knowledge than bragging. He talks about acting, his website, and his various projects, but the core of the conversation is always about fighting and the lessons you can pull from combat sports about discipline and self-improvement.
Best Quotes
“I just love helping people understand fighting, it's always been my passion”
— Bas Rutten
From the JRE 139 conversation with Bas Rutten.
“The fundamentals never change, you have to be solid with the basics before you do anything fancy”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 139 conversation with Bas Rutten.
“Fighting teaches you about yourself in ways nothing else can”
— Bas Rutten
From the JRE 139 conversation with Bas Rutten.
“I've been blessed to compete at the highest levels and now I get to share that knowledge”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 139 conversation with Bas Rutten.
“The mental game is just as important as the physical training”
— Bas Rutten
From the JRE 139 conversation with Bas Rutten.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
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