Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten (born February 24, 1965) is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak (21 wins, 1 draw). Rutten has beaten many MMA champions over the course of his career, including wins over UFC champions Frank Shamrock, Kevin Randleman, Guy Mezger and Maurice Smith, and wins over King of Pancrase world champions Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki.
Currently, he and Kenny Rice host Inside MMA, a weekly MMA variety show on HDNet. The pair also did remote English commentary and play-by-play for Dream events broadcast in
Bas Rutten is the owner/operator of Elite MMA in Westlake Village
Jay Dee "B.J." Penn (born December 13, 1978) [4] is an American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In 2000, he became the first non-Brazilian winner of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black-belt category.[5] Penn is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion and was a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show. He became only the second fighter to win UFC titles in two different weight classes (the other being Randy Couture), after he won the lightweight title at UFC 80, having previously won the UFC's Welterweight title from Matt Hughes at UFC 46. Most recently, Penn fought welterweight Matt Hughes at UFC 123 in a rubber match after their previous two fights at UFC 46 and UFC 63.[51] Penn defeated Hughes in 21 seconds of the first round by knockout after flooring Hughes with a right hand and following that punch with additional strikes on the mat. [52] [53] Penn earned knockout of the night honors for his performance. Following the UFC 123 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White told reporters that Penn would fight Jon Fitch at UFC 127 in
James "Lightning" Wilks was born and raised in Leicestershire, England and studied various martial arts inspired by his father, Gary. He then moved to the
He became more and more interested in the realistic competitive side of martial arts and began to compete in what is now called MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) After starting his pro career with a 5-2 mark in local shows in California, Wilks was chosen to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom. He defeated the highly-regarded Che Mills by submission in an elimination match earning him a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete on the show. He dominated the competition not only winning every fight but finishing each one by submission or Knockout to become the Ultimate Fighter.
He is currently a fighter in the UFC and runs his own martial arts school, Lightning MMA in Laguna Hills,
Rani Ahmad Yahya (born September 12, 1984) is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist. Yahya won the 66 kg division of the prestigious Abu Dhabi submission grappling tournament in April 2007. He currently fights in both the featherweight and bantamweight divisions of the American-based MMA organization World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). On October 28, 2010, UFC President Dana White announced that the WEC would merge with UFC. Yahya was expected to face Chan Sung Jung on January 22, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 23.[3] However, Jung was forced from the card with an injury.[4] and replaced by Mike Brown. Yahya has a professional mixed martial arts record of 15 wins and 6 losses. Rani has taught No Gi Jiu Jitsu to adults and children at several different MMA gyms in
Mark Muñoz was born February 9, 1978 on a US Military Base in Yokosuka, Japan to Filipino parents from Manila, Philippines. At the age of 2, Munoz and his family relocated and settled in the former US Navy town of
In high school, Muñoz was a two-time California State Wrestling Champion at 189 pounds for Vallejo High School, Asics First Team All American and the 1996 NHSCA National High School Champion.
As a collegian at Oklahoma State University, Muñoz captured two Big 12 titles and earned back-to-back All-America honors at 197 pounds, including his NCAA title as a senior in 2001. He became the first Filipino American at the Division I Level to win a National Championship. He also made the NWCA All-Academic Team for three years and the Big 12 All-Academic squad for four. Additionally, Muñoz was a three-year member of the FILA Junior World Wrestling Team, earning the silver medal in 1998.
Muñoz received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health Science from
Jessica Penne is an American female mixed martial artist who competes at 115 lbs. Pene is ranked in the top 10 in the world at 2 different weight classes. She is (8-1) with 5 wins coming by way of submission, most recently at Battle at the Border 7 in North Dakota against Amy Davis. Pene was victorious by rear naked choke at 4:12 of the 1st round. She participated in season 3 of Bellator’s 115lb women’s tournament losing a tough decision to #1 World ranked Zoila Frausto. Jessica teaches BJJ and kickboxing at Joker’s MMA (LA Boxing) in Lake Forest. Being the kids BJJ instructor, Jessica recognizes first hand how youth participation in combat sports can have positive health benefits. Jessica Pene is a supporter of Fighting For Fitness programs Let’s Roll and Future Professionals.
Michael Kevin Guymon (born September 17, 1974) is an American mixed martial artist. He is currently fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in their welterweight division. He is also the King of the Cage welterweight title holder. Guymon is expected to face DaMarques Johnson on January 22, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 23. Guymon was born in Newport Beach, CA but raised in Irvine, CA. He attended many different schools but graduated from
