Ben Rothwell News
Ben Rothwell expresses interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner: “Something like that would be fun”
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ben Rothwell is expressing an interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner. Rothwell (39-14 MMA) parted ways with with UFC in 2022 after 13 years with the promotion. The 42 year old subsequently signed with the BKFC where he holds a record of 2-0.
Ben Rothwell says Josh Copeland is in the top-three "best chins" he's ever fought, eyes title fight against Alan Belcher after BKFC 41: "I'll see you in the ring and show you the truth"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2023
Ben Rothwell is glad he was able to go a couple of rounds at BKFC 41. Rothwell was supposed to take on Josh Watson after his upset knockout win over Greg Hardy, but unfortunately, that fight never happened. Luckily for Rothwell, Josh Copeland stepped up which he was pleased with as he said it was a more anticipated fight.
BKFC 41 Results: Ben Rothwell stops Josh Copeland (Video)
Chris Taylor - April 29, 2023
Tonight’s BKFC 41 main card features a highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Ben Rothwell and Josh Watson. Rothwell (39-14 MMA, 2-0 BKFC) made his Bare Knuckle Boxing debut in October of 2022, where he scored a first-round KO victory over Bobo O’Bannon (see that here). ‘Big Ben’ has gone 3-2 over his past five combat sports appearances.
Ben Rothwell has a message for bare knuckle boxing critics ahead of BKFC 41: “They don’t realize how dangerous MMA is”
Susan Cox - April 28, 2023
Ben Rothwell has a message for the bare knuckle boxing critics ahead of his upcoming fight at BKFC 41. Rothwell, left the UFC after 13 years with the promotion and signed on with BKFC in April of 2022.
BKFC 30 Results: Ben Rothwell destroys Bobo O'Bannon (Video)
Chris Taylor - October 1, 2022
UFC veteran Ben Rothwell squared off with Bobo O’Bannon on the main card of tonight’s BKFC 30 event in Monroe, Louisana. Rothwell (39-14 MMA) had parted way with the UFC earlier this year after going 3-2 over his past five Octagon appearances. ‘Big Ben’ had most recently competed in the Octagon in November of 2021, where he suffered a TKO loss to Marcos Rogério de Lima.
Ben Rothwell reveals the two favorite moments from his UFC career
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2022
Ben Rothwell says two moments stick out from his UFC career. Rothwell has been fighting professionally since 2001 and was in the UFC from 2009 to 2022. ‘Big Ben’ fought the who’s who of the heavyweight division but says his wins over Alistair Overeem and Josh Barnett are two of his career highlights.
Ben Rothwell plans to make Bobo O'Bannon "regret" wanting to fight him at BKFC 30: "I know I'm one of the best fighters in the world"
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2022
Ben Rothwell is finally set to make his BKFC debut on Saturday in the co-main event of BKFC 30 in Monroe, Louisana. Earlier this year, Rothwell asked for his UFC release and later signed with BKFC. Once he signed with BKFC, he expected to get a fight relatively soon but that didn’t happen and he will now fight Bobo O’Bannon on Saturday.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 95 with Mackenzie Dern, Ben Rothwell, Randy Costa, and John Castaneda
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2022
The 95th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 61 and BKFC 30. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event in fifth-ranked strawweight Mackenzie Dern (2:10). Next, former UFC heavyweight and current BKFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell (18:41) comes on. UFC bantamweight Randy Costa (31:51) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight John Castaneda (50:55).
Ben Rothwell explains UFC release and why he signed with BKFC: “Let’s just say I’m a six-figure fighter”
Cole Shelton - April 25, 2022
Ben Rothwell has opened up on his departure from the UFC. Rothwell was scheduled to face Alexander Gustafsson on May 21 but was surprisingly released by the promotion just weeks before the fight. Originally there was no word on why he was let go, but now ‘Big Ben’ has revealed that he was the one who asked for the release.
Ben Rothwell released from UFC just weeks before his scheduled fight against Alexander Gustafsson
Cole Shelton - March 31, 2022
Ben Rothwell is no longer a member of the UFC roster. Rothwell was scheduled to fight Alexander Gustafsson at heavyweight on May 21. However, on Thursday it was revealed by algorithm-based Twitter account UFC Roster Watch that ‘Big Ben’ was removed from the fan rankings pool. MMAFighting then confirmed with the promotion that the UFC decided to release Rothwell.
Dana White reacts to Herb Dean's controversial stoppage at UFC Vegas 42
Christopher Taylor - November 13, 2021
Dana White shared his thoughts on Herb Dean’s controversial stoppage in today’s UFC Vegas 42 co-headliner during the post-fight presser. Saturday’s fight card was co-headlined by a heavyweight fight featuring veteran Ben Rothwell taking on Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
UFC Vegas 42 Bonus Report: Khaos Williams among four winners
Chris Taylor - November 13, 2021
The Octagon returned to Nevada for today’s UFC Vegas 42 event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez. The main event proved to be a thrilling five round war. Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez got after it right from the opening bell and didn’t stop trading strikes until the horn sounded to end their twenty-five minute affair. Although ‘El Pantera’ found success by landing a plethora of heavy kicks, it was the pace, takedowns and volume of punches from ‘Blessed’ that proved to be the determining factor in the decision.
UFC Vegas 42 Results: Marcos Rogério de Lima TKO's Ben Rothwell (Video)
Chris Taylor - November 13, 2021
Today’s UFC Vegas 42 event is co-headlined by a heavyweight bout featuring Ben Rothwell taking on Marcos Rogério de Lima. Rothwell (39-13 MMA) most recently competed back in May, where he scored a submission victory over Chris Barnett. ‘Big Ben’ has gone 3-1 over his past four Octagon appearances prior to today’s event.
Ben Rothwell roasts fan after being criticized for "haymakers and jiggling tits"
Adam D Martin - June 28, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Ben Rothwell roasted a fan on social media after being criticized for having “haymakers and jiggling tits.” Rothwell is coming off of a second-round submission win over Chris Barnett in his last outing, and he has won three of his last four fights overall. The 39-year-old American has been on the UFC roster since 2009 and is known as being one of the most durable and tough fighters in the UFC heavyweight division. He’s called “Big Ben” due to his massive size — 6’4″ and 265lbs — not to mention his trademark knockout power. But while those attributes have helped Rothwell achieve a long and successful career in mixed martial arts, apparently what he’s doing isn’t good enough for one particular fan who went after him.
Pros react after Ben Rothwell submits Chris Barnett at UFC Vegas 27
Chris Taylor - May 22, 2021
A heavyweight bout between Ben Rothwell and Chris Barnett served as the featured prelim of tonight’s UFC Vegas 27 event. Rothwell (39-13 MMA) was originally slated to face Philipe Lins at tonight’s event, but the Brazilian was forced to pullout of the fight due to undisclosed reasons.
UFC Vegas 27 Results: Ben Rothwell stops Chris Barnett in Round 2 (Video)
Chris Taylor - May 22, 2021
A heavyweight bout between Ben Rothwell and Chris Barnett serves as the featured prelim of tonight’s UFC Vegas 27 event. Rothwell (38-13 MMA) was originally slated to face Philipe Lins at tonight’s event, but the Brazilian was forced to pullout of the fight due to undisclosed reasons.
Ben Rothwell books his Octagon return against former PFL Heavyweight champion Philipe Lins
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Veteran heavyweight Ben Rothwell will make his return to the Octagon on March 13, in a location still to be determined by UFC officials. According to a report from Combate, ‘Big Ben’ is set to return to action against former PFL heavyweight champion Philipe Lins (14-5 MMA).
Pros react to Marcin Tybura defeating Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Island 5
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
A heavyweight bout between Ben Rothwell and Marcin Tybura took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Fight Island event in Abu Dhabi. Rothwell (38-12 MMA) entered the contest having gone 2-2 since returning to the UFC in March of 2019. With that said, ‘Big Ben’ was sporting a two-fight winning streak, his latest being a split decision win over Ovince Saint Preux this past May.