#2 Marco Ruas
Ruas deserved a lot more credit than what he has been given in the mainstream MMA world. The Brazilian first came onto the combat sports scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s in Brazil. His fighting style is perhaps one of the biggest gateways into how MMA has evolved into what it is now because he is the founding father of Ruas Vale Tudo, a hybrid sport that mixed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.
Ruas featured at UFC 7 – one of two performances in the promotion over his long career – where he became the UFC 7 Tournament champion. His martial arts arsenal is filled to the brim with experience having earned his 1st degree black belt in BJJ, 7th degree black belt in Luta Livre (a Brazilian martial art rooted in judo and catch wrestling), 1st degree black belt in Judo, 1st degree black belt in taekwondo and finally a red/white cord in Capoeira.
His cross-training amongst martial arts made him one of the most dangerous and skilled fighters of his time and it’s a shame his legend doesn’t stand taller and more influential in the MMA community today.
