Ben Rothwell News

Chris Taylor - December 7, 2019

A heavyweight bout between seasoned veterans Stefan Struve and Ben Rothwell took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Washington event. Stefan Struve (29-11 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since February’s UFC event in Prague, where he scored a second round submission victory over Marcos Rogério de Lima. That win had snapped a three-fight losing skid for ‘The Skyscraper’.

Chris Taylor - December 7, 2019

A heavyweight bout between seasoned veterans Stefan Struve and Ben Rothwell took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Washington event. Stefan Struve (29-11 MMA) was last seen in action at February’s UFC event in Prague, where he scored a second round submission victory over Marcos Rogério de Lima. That win snapped a three-fight losing skid for ‘The Skyscraper’.

Christopher Taylor - July 20, 2019

A heavyweight scrap between former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski and seasoned veteran Ben Rothwell kicked off tonight’s UFC San Antonio main card. Tonight’s bout served as a rematch, as Arlovski and Rothwell had previously met under the Affliction banner in July of 2008, with ‘The Pitbull’ emerging victorious by way of knockout.

Chris Taylor - July 20, 2019

A heavyweight bout featuring former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski taking on seasoned veteran Ben Rothwell kicked off tonight’s UFC San Antonio main card. Tonight’s fight will serve as a rematch, as Arlovski and Rothwell previously met under the Affliction banner in July of 2008, with ‘The Pitbull’ emerging victorious by way of knockout.

Chris Taylor - March 9, 2019

A heavyweight bout between Ben Rothwell and Blagoy Ivanov took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Wichita event. Ben Rothwell (36-10 MMA) returns to action for the first time since April of 2016, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Junior dos Santos.

Cole Shelton - March 5, 2019

Blagoy Ivanov is ready to fight again. The Bulgarian heavyweight was considered a big signing for the UFC after he dominated in the now defunct World Series of Fighting organization, capturing heavyweight gold. The UFC had so much confidence in Ivanov that his UFC debut was a main event spot against former champion Junior dos Santos. He ended up losing the fight by unanimous decision, but for Ivanov it was a great learning experience.

Chris Taylor - January 5, 2019

Perennial UFC heavyweight contender “Big” Ben Rothwell will return to the octagon for the first time in nearly three years in March of 2019. According to Bulgarian MMA website MMA.bg, Ben Rothwell will square off with former Bellator champion Blagoy Ivanov in March.

Russell Ess - March 8, 2017

Many fans were surprised when news came out that the UFC was notified that heavyweight Ben Rothwell was flagged by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a potential anti-doping policy violation. An out-of-competition sample collected on February 6, is what caused USADA to flag Rothwell with the potential violation.

Russell Ess - March 7, 2017

UFC heavyweight fighter Ben Rothwell has been flagged by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a potential anti-doping violation. The UFC released the following statement on their notification from USADA on Tuesday:

Chris Taylor - February 7, 2017

According to reliable Brazilian news outlet Globo former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum will return to the octagon at UFC 211 where he will square off with Ben Rothwell. UFC 211 takes place May 13 live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event is headlined by a heavyweight title fight rematch featuring current champion Stipe Miocic taking on former division kingpin Junior dos Santos.

Tom Taylor - February 6, 2017

Back in December of 2016, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was scheduled to rematch a fellow former champ in Fabricio Werdum. The winner of this fight was expected to challenge reigning champ Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight crown. Unfortunately, Velasquez was forced out of this anticipated heavyweight showdown with an injury just days before it was supposed to go down. This marked the latest incident in the long string of injuries that have marred the recent years of his otherwise incredible career.

Russell Ess - January 10, 2017

UFC Heavyweight Ben Rothwell isn’t holding anything back when speaking with the media now that he realizes how much of a factor it plays in the sport of mixed martial arts. Following Ronda Rousey’s much talked about loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, Rothwell commented not just on Rousey on Sirius XM’s “Fight Club” podcast, but also her boyfriend Travis Browne where he ripped into his fellow UFC heavyweight.

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2017

Last week, UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley and middleweight champ Michael Bisping made headlines by agreeing to fight at a catchweight of 180lbs. While it remains to be seen if the UFC actually makes this fight, it’s bound to ruffle a few feathers if they do. Woodley, after all, is currently in the crosshairs of deserving welterweight contenders like Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, who he recently battled to a draw, and Demian Maia, who recently submitted Carlos Condit to extend his welterweight win-streak to 6.

bjpenndotcom - December 28, 2016

Unfortunate news surfaced this past weekend that former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez had been pulled form his scheduled UFC 207 fight with Fabricio Werdum on December 30th after failing an extra pre-fight medical screening following news of a back injury he endured during training camp.

Tom Taylor - November 25, 2016

Yesterday afternoon, former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos issued one of the most courteous callouts in UFC history. The recipient of this callout was current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who he defeated with a narrow decision back in late 2014. If Dos Santos gets his way, this rematch with the reigning champ will occur at UFC 209 in Brooklyn in February. Hey @stipemiocicufc enjoy Thanksgiving in ur new home- hope it's filled w great food & friends. Let's fight after the holidays?Brooklyn? LMK

bjpenndotcom - September 30, 2016

On April 10th of 2016, top ranked UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell stepped into the Octagon for what many believed to be a #1 contender fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. ‘Big Ben’ was riding 4-fight win streak into the fight that saw him finish four straight fights. After serving a 9-month suspension for elevated testosterone levels, after a TKO win over Brandon Vera at UFC 164, Rothwell returned to the Octagon and TKOd Alistair Overeem in 2014. Rothwell, who was making waves in the heavyweight division, was away from the Octagon for nearly a year. When he returned, he picked up back to back submission wins over Matt Mitrione and Josh Barnett, becoming the first man to submit Josh Barnett.

Chris Taylor - May 29, 2016

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum (20-6-1 MMA) will return to the octagon this September in Cleveland when he squares off with Ben Rothwell (36-10 MMA) on the main card of UFC 203. Werdum was just in action at UFC 198, where he lost his heavyweight title to Stipe Miocic in the evening’s main event. Prior to the setback, Werdum had put together an impressive six-fight win streak, capturing the UFC’s heavyweight title in the process.

bjpenndotcom - May 10, 2016

Last month Ben Rothwell looked to extend his 4-fight win streak and secure a title shot by defeating former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in a main event fight. Unfortunately for Rothwell, he lost via decision, dropping down to #6 on the UFC’s heavyweight rankings. During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Rothwell discussed the fight, and why he feels he messed up by accepting the bout: