Did Marco Ruas change the UFC?

[RB777]

Marco Ruas, The King of the streets unleashed a wild variety of techniques to win the legendary UFC 7 The Brawl in Buffalo.

Back in the hardcore bare knuckled, open weight, fight three times in one night tournament days.

1.) He heel hook/knee bared the heavy weight kick boxer Larry Cureton.

2.) He exhausted the Judo-Jiu Jitsu-Tae Kwon Do specialist Remco Pardoel in one of the strangest tap outs in UFC history.

3.) Finally he foot stomped (first time seen in the UFC) boxed, palm struck and put on what might be the greatest low kick clinic ever in the UFC, on the 330lb Trap fighter Paul Varelans to win the tournament. Ruas had a broken hand at that time but refused to quit.

He was considered the most well rounded fighter at that time and was called the most complete fighter of the century by the Japanese press.

Did his high level hybrid style change the way fighters trained for the UFC?

 

[Reffson]

Good topic! Yes I think he was VERY impressive with lethal standup combined with expert submission skills. His legs kicks were brutal, which Pedro Rizzo learned and used to chop down others in violent fashion.

Ruas had that "it" factor too. Looking at him you could tell he was a killer. I heard the stories about him and Rickson, let's just say they were both at the top of the Brazilian food chain when they were in their 20's.

 

[Reffson]

Haha is he the guy who was billed as age unknown the entire time?

He didnt change the sport but he was fucking cool

IIRC he didnt come back for the next tournament either after winning

Yeah well fighting 3 brutal fights in one day for a possible 50K ain't a good return on investment.

 

[irish_thug]

Damn straight he did.

If Ruas was 10 years yonger he would be a household name.

 

[Megatronlee]

One for the old school fans

 

[irish_thug]

Haha is he the guy who was billed as age unknown the entire time?

He didnt change the sport but he was fucking cool

IIRC he didnt come back for the next tournament either after winning

Yeah he came back for the ultimate ultimate '95 tourney, lost to Oleg in the semis.

 

[Poseidon]

Haha is he the guy who was billed as age unknown the entire time?

He didnt change the sport but he was fucking cool

IIRC he didnt come back for the next tournament either after winning

He changed the sport aright, that's why he was feared. The way he used leg kicks and it was the first time I really saw submissions being used, esp those heels hooks. The guy is a legend, real fighting, Vale Tudo style.

 

[RB777]

Haha is he the guy who was billed as age unknown the entire time?

He didnt change the sport but he was fucking cool

IIRC he didnt come back for the next tournament either after winning

Thanks for reminding me...that unknown age thing was just plain awesome! Like right out of the jungle or something...so bad ass!

 

[Magooglie]

I think Maurice Smith, Frank Shamrock, TK alliance had a bigger impact on cross training.

 

[koquerelle]

You talked about the Varelens fight and you didn't mention those amazing leg kicks. That's a disgrace. :icon_lol:

 

[RB777]

Good topic! Yes I think he was VERY impressive with lethal standup combined with expert submission skills. His legs kicks were brutal, which Pedro Rizzo learned and used to chop down others in violent fashion.

Ruas had that "it" factor too. Looking at him you could tell he was a killer. I heard the stories about him and Rickson, let's just say they were both at the top of the Brazilian food chain when they were in their 20's.

I met him in Oakland Ca, at an IFL event when he was the coach for the Condors. He was one of the nicest people you could meet in person, which was strange considering how dangerous he is. He signed a VHS box for me of him and Taktarov in an IVC event in Brazil. He was amazed that I had that VHS in my pocket. He knew I was old school!

 

[BROWNPRIDE]

Sure he did but that nick name is cool as fck.

 

[RB777]

You talked about the Varelens fight and you didn't mention those amazing leg kicks. That's a disgrace. :icon_lol:

That was the closest thing to Ernesto Joost in the UFC! Real K1 power!

 

[RB777]

Yeah well fighting 3 brutal fights in one day for a possible 50K ain't a good return on investment.

Those guys would have one it for even less because they were representing their chosen style...which was like a religion!

 

[RB777]

Damn straight he did.

If Ruas was 10 years yonger he would be a household name.

In a way Gracie was lucky to have not faced him. He could have possibly won more UFC's than Royce since he was more well rounded and merciless.

 

[RB777]

I think Maurice Smith, Frank Shamrock, TK alliance had a bigger impact on cross training.

Maybe so, but Ruas was raw yet refined and could challenge any size or style in multiple fights in one evening. Not sure if I remember Frank, Mo or TK alliance steam rolling an open weight tournament.

 

[[insert_name_here]]

Luta Livre for Life!

 

[Magooglie]

Maybe so, but Ruas was raw yet refined and could challenge any size or style in multiple fights in one evening. Not sure if I remember Frank, Mo or TK alliance steam rolling an open weight tournament.

Ruas' UFC 7 win was overshadowed by the superior wrestling/gnp style of Frye and then Frye's conqueror Mark Coleman. Mo used cardio and his stand up skills to outlast Coleman. Frank used all types of skills and cardio to beat his opponents. He made Tito rethink his training. There are obviously other cases of cross training. Team Quest and MFS did a good job of having combinations of boxing and wrestling.

 

[IndyCovaHart]

Those guys would have one it for even less because they were representing their chosen style...which was like a religion!

Now everyone is a fucking primadonna terrified of losing their ranking or sponsors.

 

[infamouz ice]

I see the guy every so often at the gym I work out at (24 hour fitness)