Bas Rutten cast a wide net in front of the camera. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
7. Bas Rutten
While injuries drove Rutten out of mixed martial arts in what seemed like the prime of his fighting career, the former UFC heavyweight champion has since carved out a strong space for himself as a media personality and commentator. He is a fixture on AXS TV’s “Inside MMA” and fight broadcasts the world over, and he supplements his work in the MMA business with work as an actor.
“El Guapo” immediately transitioned to the entertainment industry. He appeared in a number of small roles between 1999 and 2005, including a pair of appearances on “The King of Queens,” which introduced him to future co-star Kevin James. Bigger roles followed in James’ “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and his MMA-themed comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” along with a guest spot in the short-lived but excellent FX series “Lights Out.”
Rutten will appear in the upcoming sequel to Paul Blart, and given his now longstanding ties to the entertainment industry, it seems certain he will continue to star in the future.
Number 6 » He compiled an undefeated record in kickboxing and sanshou, and he picked up the Strikeforce middleweight championship in addition to his other accolades. His flashy style, with its emphasis on spinning strikes and jumping kicks, made him a natural fit for the entertainment industry’s martial arts films. He took to them like a fish to water.