Bas Rutten transformed himself into one of the most recognizable figures in mixed martial arts through his competitive accomplishments and a successful transition to life after fighting. “El Guapo” will celebrate his 60th birthday on Feb. 24.
The Tilburg, Netherlands, native finished with a 28-4-1 record that saw him record 24 of his 28 victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. During his run, Rutten helped shepherd MMA through its formative years, engaged in memorable rivalries, captured championships and built a legion of fans who remain loyal to this day. Well over a decade after he hung up his gloves for good, his presence can still be felt through his work as a television analyst, actor, coach and entrepreneur.