Tag: Bas Rutten

The 10 best body-shot stoppages in MMA, ranked

Body shots don’t get enough love because they don’t provide the visuals of a head shot, but these finishes hurt just looking at them.

It is often said that mixed martial arts is still behind the proverbial curve when it comes to striking.

Whether we’re talking about fighters lacking jabs in open-stance affairs or the way in which striking is both adjudicated and tracked in this sport, there’s still a decent amount to be desired for those who appreciate fisticuffs on the finest level.

Moreover, whether we’re talking about MMA’s top officials and judges or Gen Pop who consumes this product, there seems to be a criminal underappreciation for strikes to the body.

Despite body shots proving to be effective since the existence of organized martial arts and combat sports alike, it’s still not uncommon to see fighters allowed to take unnecessary damage en route to defeat or be awarded questionable rounds for surviving frames due to MMA’s apparent blind spot for bodywork.

This, of course, is particularly ironic considering that fighters themselves (whether they’re speaking publicly on a broadcast or are answering privately in person) revere bodywork to the point where most of them would prefer a clean headshot over a brutal body blow.

Say what you will about the striking evolution in MMA, but the fighters have been providing us with some spectacular highlights in the body shot department for some time now.

So, with that in mind, I thought it would be fun to pay homage to all forms of body strikes by revisiting my top 10 most memorable body shot stoppages in MMA.

As usual, these lists reflect my personal tastes and biases and are not meant to serve as some ultimate authority. That said, I feel very strongly about not only my list but also my honorable mentions at the end – which are more than strong enough to serve as their own top 10.

So, without further ado …

Karate Combat 43: Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson live stream

Watch two former UFC champions Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson fight at Karate Combat – live and free.

LAS VEGAS – Karate Combat 43 features two of the most recognizable lightweights in UFC history as they fight for the third time – but this time, in a different combat sport.

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] and [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] collide Friday and the entire event is live and free on MMA Junkie. UFC Hall of Famers [autotag]Georges St-Pierre[/autotag] and [autotag]Bas Rutten[/autotag] will be on commentary. The stream begins at 9 p.m. ET.

Also set to compete at the event, former UFC fighter [autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag] challenges champion Ross Levine, kickboxing legend Raymond Daniels competes, and a handful of other UFC alumni test their skills on the mat – with striking only and no takedowns.

Check out the full lineup below:

  • Anthony Pettis def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision
  • Sam Alvey def. Ross Levine via unanimous decision – for vacant heavyweight title
  • Raymond Daniels def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision
  • Brandon Jenkins def. Gorjan Slaveski via TKO – Round 1
  • Melinda Fabian def. Omaira Molina via TKO – Round 3, 3:00
  • Batgerel Danaa def. Freddy Masabo via knockout – Round 2
  • Omar Morales def. Armus Guyton via unanimous decision
  • Shahzaib Khan def. Federico Avella via knockout (head kick) – Round 1
  • Chinzo Machida def. Shannon Hudson via unanimous decision
  • Saidyokub Kakhramonov def. Gabriel Stankunas via TKO – Round 3
  • Elijah Everill def. Javier Arteaga via unanimous decision
  • Loxbey Montalvan def. Gabriel Diaz via unanimous decision
  • Jordan Lee Barker def. Damian Villa via unanimous decision

MMA Junkie Radio #3263: Guests Muhammad Mokaev and Bas Rutten, reaction to Nick Diaz request, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,263, the guys welcomed UFC flyweight [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] and UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Bas Rutten[/autotag] to the show, and they discuss the latest MMA news, including Nick Diaz’s request to fight Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title.

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Video: MMA legend Bas Rutten speaks on Karate Combat and the ‘entertainment era’ of fighting

Bas Rutten gives his thoughts the upcoming season of Karate Combat and the rise of social media influencers boxing against legitimate fighters.

UFC Hall of Famer and ambassador for Karate Combat, [autotag]Bas Rutten[/autotag] shares his thoughts on the state of combat sports as social media influencers have recently begun competing frequently.

With the third season of Karate Combat debuting on July 1 on CBS Sports Network, Rutten explained in an interview with MMA Junkie why he was instantly willing to be a part of the promotion’s unique approach to martial arts competition.

“Well, they called me all the way from the beginning and they said, ‘Hey, we need an ambassador for the sport,'” Rutten said. “Since you come from a karate background, would you like to be our ambassador?’ I said, ‘What is it?’ ‘It’s a full-contact karate league.’ I go, ‘Woah, okay! Don’t say anymore. I want to do it!’ And then I found out the pit and the way it’s shaped and the way it was filmed and that was the icing on the cake.”

“With these guys, they are having Olympic-level athletes fighting each other full contact, it’s the best,” Rutten stated.

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New approaches to combat sports come up from time to time, but perhaps the most interesting recent development in the space is the rise of YouTube stars lacing up the gloves and fighting legitimate fighters in the boxing ring. Rutten has noted that these social media influencers have done the work to earn attention, and they’re not performing too badly in the ring as well.

“You know, they did that and you can’t complain about it,” Rutten started. “Why don’t you do the same thing, start a YouTube channel and get a lot of followers? Guess what? Then you can do exactly the same thing.

“That’s the same with (Conor) McGregor. People go like, well, but look at it, he makes all that money. Well, be like him. Good luck with that, by the way, because, I mean, he’s a master in promoting and it’s the same with the Paul brothers. I mean, they built themselves up for years now, but finally, they have to pick their career and they found a way to do something, what they love to do – fighting, boxing, and they actually do pretty well. I got huge respect for those guys. I mean, the way against Floyd Mayweather going the distance? In my book, that’s pretty admirable.”

Check out the full conversation in the video above.

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Combat Rewind, April 8: Top highlights include top submission artists Shinya Aoki, ‘Butterbean’

Check out the best highlights from this day in history with MMA Junkie’s “Combat Rewind.”

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day?

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries.

So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above:

  • Absolute Muay Thai: [autotag]Chai So Jo Toy Paedriw[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Phonchainoi Thidet 99[/autotag] – April 8, 2019
  • PRIDE 34: [autotag]Gilbert Yvel[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Akira Shoji[/autotag] – April 8, 2007
  • PRIDE 34: [autotag]Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Zuluzinho[/autotag] – April 8, 2007
  • Pancrase – Eyes of Beast 3: [autotag]Bas Rutten[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Takaku Fuke[/autotag] – April 8, 1995
  • PRIDE 34: [autotag]Shinya Aoki[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Brian Lo-A-Njoe[/autotag] – April 8, 2007
  • PRIDE 34: [autotag]Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ricardo Arona[/autotag] – April 8, 2007

Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.