Rutten, IFL crew join Affliction

[goldie1692]

Rutten, IFL crew join Affliction Story Highlights
Kenny Rice, Ron Kruck and Bas Rutten will commentate the Oct. 11 card
The broadcast team follows a slew of IFL fighters in joining Affliction
Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski will fight on the card's main event in Las Vegas

"Every company thus far has really tried to make it where the UFC is, and Affliction can be right there," Bas Rutten said.
Courtesy of MMAWeekly.com

By Mick Hammond, MMAWeekly.com

As Affliction picks up steam heading into its Oct. 11 Las Vegas debut, the promotion continues to tweak things its roster, television deals and most recently their broadcast team as well.

Out is the initial pay-per-view broadcast group of Jay Glazer, Frank Trigg and "Big" John McCarthy; in is the familiar former International Fight League team of Kenny Rice, Ron Kruck and MMA living legend Bas "El Guapo" Rutten.

For Rutten, it represents the continuation of a commentary career that has spanned much of this decade and multiple promotions, from Pride Fighting Championships to King of the Cage, and most recently the aforementioned IFL and Dream.

"It's great to be here on American soil to do a big event like Affliction, which did a great first show, and I think the organization can really do it, can really make it," exclaimed Rutten of his new gig.

"Every company thus far has really tried to make it where the UFC is, and Affliction can be right there. It's going to be good for the fighters, the fans, for everybody."

The IFL's broadcast team joining Affliction follows the signing of many of the IFL's fighters to the card, such as Chris Horodecki and former titleholders Roy Nelson, Jay Hieron and Vladimir Matyushenko.

"I just did an interview where they said the IFL was a failure and put a real negative spin on it, and I said, 'No guys, it was not.' If you look at the IFL fighters, they're signing with really big companies; with the UFC, WEC and Affliction," commented Rutten.

"It means that the IFL just had really good talent. So, yeah of course, this is great to be seeing them and doing commentary for them like I did in the IFL."

As far as the upcoming Oct. 11 Affliction card, he is extremely excited for the entire line-up, and is especially anticipating the evening's main event pitting two of the top heavyweights in the world, Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski.

"Josh Barnett, I've always said, is one of the toughest guys there is," he stated. "I think he is the guy with the huge chance to beat Fedor Emelianenko. But, Andrei Arlovski coming in like he did last time, with flying knees, high kicks; he was on fire.

"I think striking-wise they are pretty evened up; maybe the boxing from Arlovski is a little bit better. That's why I think Josh is going to set up the takedown, and once it gets to the ground, he's going to go for any submission like (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira, but add some leg locks there."

According to Rutten, he intends on being the same El Guapo personality that fans have come to enjoy from his commentating over the last several years, but with added emphasis to the technical side of things.

"I'm pretty good at (taking it) if there's a reason why Bas shouldn't do this or that, if it's true and someone didn't just make it up," he said. "I think the fans like what I've been doing thus far, so I think it shouldn't change.

"It's like when you go to a concert of a band and people can't follow along any more because they totally changed the song; they don't want that. I think, right now, things are good, but I am going to try to go a little more in-depth for the people that may be tuning in for the first time and give them a little more insight to what's going on."

Prior to Affliction, Rutten remains one of the busiest men in MMA. Along with his broadcast duties with Dream, he continues to co-host the "Inside MMA" television series on Mark Cuban's HDNet, promoting his upcoming BAS Stand and reality series, on top of training Kimbo Slice for his upcoming showdown with fellow MMA legend Ken Shamrock on Oct. 4 in EliteXC.

Never one to be out of the game for too long, Rutten will make his pay-per-view broadcast return with Affliction on Oct. 11 from Las Vegas, and as he sees it, it's one show fans can ill afford to miss.

"You guys check it out," he concluded. "Like last time, they have an unbelievable card, and this one is going to be the same.

"It's going to be an unbelievable show, a great production with great fights, and what more can you say? Just watch it."

Rutten, IFL crew join Affliction - SI.com - Mixed Martial Arts

Very good read. Bas has to be one of the most intelligent MMA minds around. And good bye "Big" John

[smoogy]

I hope Big John is at least staying on as the ring interview guy. IMO its a mistake to remove him from the broadcast booth. Trigg and Glazer won't be missed though

[goldie1692]

I did not really like the way that Big John conducted in-ring interviews. I am very excited about Bas though!

[smoogy]

I'd almost prefer they just throw Big John in as the play by play guy, Kenny Rice is a downer

[Gurry]

Originally Posted by smoogy

I'd almost prefer they just throw Big John in as the play by play guy, Kenny Rice is a downer

Woah Kenny Rice is a bigger downer than Big John? Big John has the same monotone drab voice, kenny rice although not knowledgable about mma has a great broadcasting personality. His lack of knowledge is where Bas Rutten fits in, a guy who has more mma knowledge than Big John and is an even better broadcasting personality. The only flaw in this combination is Ron Kruck who is a serious downer. There is no reason to have Big John and im glad hes off the broadcasting team.

Announcers like Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten are better for casual fans which is what Affliction is trying to attract to stay alive. I remember watching Pride many years ago, Bas and Mauro were talking, Mauro talking about an Americana, im like wtf is an Americana. I watched UFC and everytime that goldie makes a statement like that.... hes usually wrong, thats when Rogan steps in and explains everything properly. I think Kenny and Bas will share the same relationship, and Kenny isn't totally clueless, his knowledge of mma has grown leaps and bounds. If you watch inside mma ep 01, to the current episode it is a noticeable difference.

[maxp84z]

Bring in BJM as a ref.... This might sound weird but BJM reffing could bring in some fans.

[atj-lucko]

Originally Posted by smoogy

I'd almost prefer they just throw Big John in as the play by play guy, Kenny Rice is a downer

Kenny Rice is the worst Play by Play guy ever, why would Affliction do that to there fans, also that Kruck guy is as useless as a boil on my ass.

I remember when they announced is was gonna be Trigg, Glazer and I said "well at least it wasn't Kenny Rice!!"

Fuck Affliction I hope they go bankrupt, I'll watch the Main Event and thats it.

[jhell]

I'll be glad to hear Bas again. I can't stand Glazer, and Trigg doesn't seem to be as good as his Pride days.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Liver Kick!

I really felt that the PRIDE cards went down hill once Bas left.

He just adds such personality to the broadcast. Love him!

[thumper]

Originally Posted by atj-lucko

Kenny Rice is the worst Play by Play guy ever, why would Affliction do that to there fans, also that Kruck guy is as useless as a boil on my ass.

I remember when they announced is was gonna be Trigg, Glazer and I said "well at least it wasn't Kenny Rice!!"

Fuck Affliction I hope they go bankrupt, I'll watch the Main Event and thats it.

Kenny rice is no worse than goldie. But they do fit the same mold.

Run your mouth, pretend to know what you're talking about but let shit fall out of your mouth so fast you don't have time to catch the stupid parts. Then leave all the credibility up to the other guy. The famous one that knows exactly what he's doing.