You’ve seen the videos. The grainy, 90s-era footage of a bald Dutchman with a terrifyingly calm face slapping people into oblivion in the Pancrase ring. Or maybe you know him as the guy who taught you how to deliver a liver shot that turns a grown man into a puddle of regret. Bas Rutten is a legend. Period. But when it comes to finding a Bas Rutten MMA gym, things get a little bit more nuanced than just walking into a building with his name on the door and seeing him waiting there with Thai pads.
The truth is that Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA, located in Westlake Village, California, isn't just another franchise. It’s a specific landmark in the martial arts world.
It’s weirdly hard to find honest, non-marketing fluff about what actually happens inside these walls. Most "reviews" are just people fan-boying over the "El Guapo" persona. Let's talk about what the gym actually is, who it's for, and why the "Bas Rutten system" changed how people think about combat sports.
What Actually Happens at Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA?
If you walk into the Westlake Village facility expecting a dark, grimy basement where people are brawling for sport, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s professional. It’s clean. It feels like a high-end training center because, well, it is.
The gym was founded by Bas Rutten and Randy Drake. They didn't want a "meathead" gym. They wanted a place where a soccer mom could train alongside a professional fighter. That’s a difficult balance to strike. Most gyms lean too hard one way—either they’re "cardio kickboxing" fluff with zero technique, or they’re "pro-only" gyms where beginners get their teeth kicked in on day one.
Bas’s place occupies this middle ground.
The curriculum is built around the O2 Trainer philosophy and Bas’s own hybrid style. Remember, Bas came from a background of Kyokushin Karate and Taekwondo before moving into Thai Boxing and then the submission-heavy world of Pancrase. His gym reflects that evolution. You aren't just learning "MMA." You’re learning a specific blend of striking that prioritizes liver shots (obviously), sprawl-and-brawl tactics, and high-percentage submissions.
The Coaching Staff Reality
Let’s be real: Bas Rutten is a busy man. He’s a commentator, an actor, an inventor, and a global ambassador for the sport. If you sign up thinking Bas is going to be your personal coach every Tuesday at 6:00 PM, you’re setting yourself up for a letdown.
He’s there. He drops in. He does seminars. But the day-to-day operations are handled by a roster of black belts and seasoned strikers.
The head instructors, like JT Steele and others who have been with the system for years, are the ones doing the heavy lifting. This is a good thing. A great fighter isn't always a great teacher, but Bas has a knack for surrounding himself with people who can actually articulate why a certain pivot works. They use a ranking system that isn't quite traditional BJJ belts but isn't a "nothing" system either. It gives people a sense of progression.
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The "Bas Rutten System" vs. Standard MMA
Most MMA gyms today teach a very standardized "UFC style." A little wrestling, some Muay Thai, and 10th Planet or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA is different.
The striking focuses heavily on the "Dutch Style." Think lots of combinations ending in low kicks. It’s aggressive. It’s meant to overwhelm. Bas famously hated the "wait and see" approach. His gym teaches you to be the hammer.
Then there’s the conditioning. If you’ve ever used the Bas Rutten Workout CDs (yes, some of us are that old), you know the pace.
"Liver shot! Ten sprawls! Hook! Hook!"
The gym incorporates these high-intensity intervals into the classes. It’s not just about hitting a bag; it’s about hitting a bag while your lungs feel like they’re being squeezed by a giant. This is where his "O2 Trainer" comes into play. Bas is obsessed with respiratory training. He believes—and science generally backs this up—that most fighters lose because they gas out, not because they lack technique.
Is It a "Pro" Gym?
Yes and no.
While they have produced fighters and have a "Fight Team," the Westlake Village location is very much a community hub. You’ll see local business owners training next to kids. Honestly, the "Elite" in the name refers more to the quality of instruction than an elitist attitude toward members.
If you want to be the next UFC champion, you can get the foundations here. But if you just want to lose 30 pounds and learn how to not die in a street fight, you’ll feel just as welcome. That’s a rare vibe in the MMA world. Some gyms have a "vibe" that is so thick with ego you can barely breathe. Here, it’s more about the work.
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Misconceptions About Training with a Legend
People think that because Bas was a "bare-knuckle" (mostly) fighter in Pancrase, the gym is going to be dangerous.
It’s actually the opposite.
Bas is a huge advocate for "smart training." He often talks about how he didn't do heavy sparring for the latter half of his career to preserve his brain and body. This philosophy trickles down. They emphasize technical sparring. Touching, not smashing.
Another misconception: "It’s only for strikers."
While Bas is known for his knockouts, he actually became a submission wizard later in his career. The gym’s grappling program is robust. You’ll learn how to defend takedowns—Bas was the king of the sprawl—and how to use the cage to get back up.
The Logistics: What You’re Actually Buying
When you sign up for a Bas Rutten MMA gym membership, you’re usually looking at a tiered system. They offer:
- Mixed Martial Arts: The flagship class. A blend of everything.
- Muay Thai / Kickboxing: Focused purely on the stand-up.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Gi and No-Gi options.
- Kids Programs: This is actually a huge part of their business. They focus on "character development," which sounds cliché, but in a combat sports context, it basically means teaching kids discipline so they don't become bullies.
The pricing is competitive for Southern California. It’s not "cheap," but you aren't paying for a name only. You’re paying for the facility—which is top-tier—and the lineage of the instructors.
Why This Gym Still Matters in 2026
The MMA landscape is crowded now. Every town has a "Black Belt Academy."
But Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA remains relevant because it stays true to a very specific philosophy of combat. It’s not following trends. It’s not trying to be a "CrossFit" box that also happens to have a heavy bag.
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It’s about the "El Guapo" way:
- Efficiency over flash.
- Conditioning as a weapon.
- A positive, almost jovial attitude toward the "fight."
If you’ve ever watched Bas speak, he’s always smiling. He loves this stuff. That energy is baked into the gym’s culture. It’s probably the only place on earth where you can learn how to rupture an organ and have a genuinely fun time doing it.
Common Questions People Ask Before Joining
Do I need to be in shape? Nope. That’s what the gym is for. But be prepared: the "Bas-style" warmups are legendary for being brutal. You'll sweat. A lot.
Will I get hit in the face? Only if you want to. They have "fitness-only" paths and "combat" paths. If you don't want to spar, you don't have to. You can spend your whole life there just hitting pads and bags.
Is Bas actually there? Again, don't bet on it for every class. He’s a global figure. But his influence is everywhere, from the photos on the wall to the specific way the coaches teach a lead hook.
How to Get Started with the Bas Rutten System
If you’re in the Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village area, the best thing to do is just show up. They usually offer a trial class.
But if you aren't in California, you can still "train" in his system. Bas has been a pioneer in digital training. His "Bas Rutten University" and various online platforms offer a look at the curriculum used in the gym. It’s not the same as having a coach fix your hips in person, but it’s the closest thing you’ll get to the source.
Actionable Steps for Potential Members:
- Audit a class first: Don't just watch the pro-level guys. Watch the "Level 1" class. If the instructor is attentive to the person who has never thrown a punch, that’s a good gym.
- Check the lineage: Ask the instructors who they got their belts from. At Elite MMA, most paths lead back to Bas or his high-level associates.
- Focus on the "Why": When you’re learning a move, ask why it works in an MMA context versus a boxing context. The coaches at Bas’s gym are particularly good at explaining the "bridge" between disciplines.
- Invest in your lungs: If you're serious about this style, look into the O2 trainer or similar respiratory work. Bas's whole system relies on you having a bigger "gas tank" than the other guy.
Training at a Bas Rutten MMA gym is about more than just fighting. It’s about a certain type of Dutch-influenced, high-intensity martial arts culture that doesn't really exist anywhere else. It’s aggressive, it’s technical, and strangely enough, it’s incredibly welcoming. Just watch your liver.