JRE MMA Show #139: A Deep Dive with the Legendary Bas Rutten

Ever wondered what it takes to become a legend in the world of MMA? Joe Rogan sits down with the one and only Bas Rutten in this episode of the JRE MMA Show, and it’s an absolute blast. From his early days dealing with severe asthma to his incredible fighting career and hilarious stories from the road, Rutten holds nothing back. Get ready for some laughs, some serious insights into fighting, and a whole lot of Dutch courage!

TL;DR

Bas Rutten discusses his early life dealing with asthma and how it pushed him to find solutions.
Rutten shares hilarious stories about his fighting days, including anecdotes about bar fights, crazy fans, and travel mishaps.
The conversation delves into Rutten’s training philosophy and his emphasis on cardiovascular fitness.
They touch on current MMA fighters and the evolution of the sport, including the influence of wrestling and striking.
Rutten talks about his business ventures and products, including his popular O2 Trainer.

Key Topics Covered

Overcoming Asthma and Finding Your Fighting Spirit

Bas Rutten’s journey started with a significant challenge: severe asthma. He recounts how this condition initially limited his physical activity, but instead of succumbing to it, he sought ways to overcome it. This section explores his determination to not let his asthma define him, leading him to discover martial arts as a means of empowerment.

He talks about how he couldn’t participate in sports as a kid because of his asthma but how this drove him to find things that would help him build himself up and get better. What I found particularly interesting was how he focused on finding solutions, not excuses.

“If you have a problem, fix it. Don’t complain about it.” – Bas Rutten

Hilarious Tales from a Legendary Career

This episode is packed with laugh-out-loud stories from Bas Rutten’s time in the fight game. From crazy encounters with fans to the time he ended up fighting a whole biker gang, Rutten’s life has been anything but boring. These anecdotes offer a glimpse into the wild world of early MMA and the unique personalities that shaped the sport. Rogan and Rutten share stories about the unique experiences that they’ve had and the different characters that have come into their lives through MMA.

One thing that really stood out was the pure enthusiasm in Rutten’s voice when he recounted these stories. It’s clear he has a deep love for the sport and the people involved.

Training, Fitness, and the O2 Trainer

The conversation shifts to Rutten’s emphasis on cardiovascular training. He explains why he believes cardio is the foundation for all fighting styles and details the training regimens he used to stay in peak condition. Bas shares details about his O2 trainer and the science behind using carbon dioxide tolerance to your benefit for performance enhancement.

“Cardio is king. If you don’t have cardio, you can’t fight.” – Bas Rutten

Intriguing Anecdotes & Stories

Bas Rutten shares a story about a time he was protecting someone and got in a fight with a biker gang. Joe and Bas laugh as Bas recounts the sheer volume of bikers involved, and how he dealt with the situation. It’s a fun story that really shows his ability to handle himself in real-world situations.

Another great story involves the early days of MMA and traveling to fights. Bas explains how he once didn’t receive his fight money after traveling across the world, and how that helped influence him to be more organized with contracts and his career in general.

Actionable Insights & Takeaways

**Focus on Solutions:** Don’t let obstacles define you. Instead, seek ways to overcome them, just like Bas did with his asthma.
**Cardio is Crucial:** Prioritize cardiovascular fitness in your training, regardless of your fighting style.
**Learn from Mistakes:** Use setbacks as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Conclusion

This JRE MMA Show episode with Bas Rutten is a must-listen for any MMA fan. Rutten’s charisma, combined with his insightful commentary and hilarious stories, makes for an incredibly entertaining and informative conversation. Anyone interested in the history of MMA, training techniques, or simply a good laugh will find this episode well worth their time. Bas is an incredible individual with a plethora of wisdom to share. Go check out the episode to see what you can learn!