Ben Rothwell

USA

Released by UFC ahead of scheduled fight
HeavyweightOther
March 31, 2022
Rothwell has been released by the UFC and will no longer take on Alexander Gustafsson in May, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rothwell has been a mainstay in the UFC dating back to 2009. There has been no word as of now as to why he was released with an upcoming bout just a month and a half away. Rothwell was 3-2 over his last five fights.
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Facing Alexander Gustafsson
HeavyweightOther
February 1, 2022
Rothwell will take on Alexander Gustafsson in a heavyweight fight May 21, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rothwell lost to Marcos Rogerio de Lima by TKO just 32 seconds into their matchup in November. He was handed a six-month medical suspension for a nose injury following the fight but will be eligible to step into the Octagon again in May. The result was just his second loss in his first seven UFC fights. Gustafsson, on the other hand, is riding a three-fight losing streak and owns a 2-5 record in his last seven matches.
Out for extended period
HeavyweightOther
November 16, 2021
Rothwell is facing a potential six-month medical suspension for a nose injury, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rothwell lost to Marcos Rogerio de Lima via TKO in just 32 seconds on Saturday and may have broke his nose in the process. He'll undergo an X-ray and will be out until May 13 if positive, though he can be cleared to return earlier by a doctor.
First KO defeat since October 2009
HeavyweightOther
November 13, 2021
Rothwell lost to Marcos Rogerio de Lima via TKO (punches) at 0:32 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rothwell -- who turned 40 last month -- has been durable despite his advanced age, yet there was always the concern something like this would happen due to the fact he possesses zero footwork and is more than comfortable engaging his competition in senseless brawls. Big Ben actually survived at least a dozen bombs before referee Herb Dean awkwardly and finally stepped in. Rothwell is now 3-4 since returning from a near three-year hiatus back in March 2019. For those looking for a crazy stat, this was Ben's first knockout defeat since UFC 104 on October 24, 2009. That came at the hands of future UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez.
Draws Rogerio de Lima next
HeavyweightOther
October 11, 2021
Rothwell is targeted for a heavyweight matchup against Marcos Rogerio de Lima at the UFC event scheduled for Nov. 13, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rothwell is finding a bit of a late-career resurgence at the age of 39, winning three of his last four fights against middle-tier heavyweights. Rogerio de Lima, on the other hand, has astoundingly alternated wins and losses in each of his last 11 fights dating back to 2014, most recently taking a decision from Maurice Greene in May. Rothwell will enter this bout with three-inch advantages in both height and reach, in addition to a slight edge in volume striking. Rogerio de Lima leans more on grappling, though neither fighters' numbers jump off the page in that area.
Comes through as big favorite
HeavyweightOther
May 22, 2021
Rothwell defeated Chris Barnett via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:07 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's Rothwell's first submission victory since January 30, 2016. That also came via guillotine, against Josh Barnett. Generally a stand-up brawler, Rothwell wisely recognized Chris Barnett's exhaustion and made a concerted effort to win this fight on the mat. Rothwell was the much bigger man, and Barnett possesses no ground game to speak of, so it was a smart choice. "Big Ben" will be turning 40 years of age this coming October. It's rarely pretty with the Wisconsin native these days, but Rothwell is treading water, posting a 3-1 record in his last four fights dating back to December 2019. Despite this strong run of late, there is an overwhelming likelihood than Rothwell's next four fights won't go as well as the prior four. He just doesn't possess the footwork or athleticism to handle better opposition.