Sherdog’s Top 10: Body Blows

Mike SloanOct 21, 2015



9. Bas Rutten vs. Minoru Suzuki
Pancrase “Road to the Championship 2”
July 6, 1994 | Amagasaki, Japan


Rutten was once one of the most feared men in the sport. He met Suzuki while still in his prime and as the legendary Pancrase organization was rounding into form in Japan. Suzuki held his own against the Dutch striker and controlled him on the ground for a few minutes following a swift double-leg takedown. The Japanese fighter preferred not to trade with Rutten on the feet but could only keep “El Guapo” bottled up for so long. Rutten eventually scrambled to his feet, latched onto Suzuki’s neck and slammed his left knee into his ribcage.

Once the strike landed, Suzuki flopped to his left and rolled over in visible distress. The pain proved too much to overcome, and he never returned to his feet. It was Rutten’s second career knockout via knee to the body.

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