Ben Rothwell

Ben Rothwell
Born	(1981-10-17) October 17, 1981 Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Other names	Big Ben
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	262 lb (119 kg; 18 st 10 lb)
Division	Heavyweight
Reach	80 in (203 cm)
Style	Kickboxing
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Kenosha, Wisconsin
Team	Rothwell MMA, Miletich Fighting Systems (formerly)
Trainer	Thiago Veiga & Luiz Claudio
Rank	Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active	2001–present
Kickboxing record
Total	3
Wins	3
Losses	0
Mixed martial arts record
Total	42
Wins	33
By knockout	19
By submission	11
By decision	3
Losses	9
By knockout	4
By submission	2
By decision	3
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: March 8, 2010

Ben Rothwell (born October 17, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a Heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is perhaps best known for competing for the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL where he held an undefeated 9–0 record before leaving the promotion due to a contract dispute. He has also had one-fight stints in Affliction, M-1 Global, and King of the Cage.

Background

Rothwell is from Kenosha, Wisconsin and both of his parents work in the restaurant business. His mother, Vicki, is a caterer who also owns and manages a historic restaurant along with his father, Dave. Rothwell was an active child but suffered a bout with spinal meningitis when he was six years old. He was in a coma and temporarily blind, while the disease made him almost obese. The young Rothwell, who struggled with his weight and identity in his adolescent years, was also troubled growing up, and was often involved in fighting and violence at Westosha Central High School. By the time he was a junior in high school, Rothwell knew that he enjoyed fighting and in 1999, at the age of 17 years old, Rothwell began learning self-defense. In July of that same year, after Rothwell had three professional fights under his belt, he and a friend were involved in a car accident with a drunk driver. Rothwell's friend, who was only 19 years old, died two weeks later and Rothwell himself also suffered a significant head injury, in addition to broken ribs. The event changed Rothwell's life, who now feels as though he has a real purpose to compete.^[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Rothwell began his training under Dave Strasser in Kenosha, Wisconsin and began training with kickboxing specialist Duke Roufus in September 2003, before joining Miletich Fighting Systems the following spring.

Rothwell made his professional debut in early 2001 in his home-state of Wisconsin and dominated his opponent, winning by TKO only 21 seconds into the fight. He then continued to win his next three fights all under two minutes into the first round and all by strikes. He then faced future two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion and fellow Miletich Fighting Systems fighter, Tim Sylvia. Rothwell was handed his first career loss in a unanimous decision. However, he bounced back and won his next seven fights, all by submission or TKO, before a unanimous decision loss to Mike Whitehead.

After defeating former King of the Cage Super Heavyweight Champion, Dan Bobish by knockout, Rothwell was soon invited to compete in the International Fight League to compete for the Quad City Silverbacks, coached by the legendary Pat Miletich. Like several other fighters in the promotion, Rothwell was competing for the coach who he trained with regularly.

International Fight League

On April 29, 2006 Rothwell made his IFL debut against future UFC veteran, the Polish-Canadian fighter, Krzysztof Soszynski. In the first round, Soszynski surprisingly decided to fight with Rothwell on the feet, and landed a left uppercut and held his own until he was knocked down with short left hook from Rothwell, who then slammed Soszynski to the canvas. After working from side control and bringing the fight back to the feet, Rothwell landed a series of punches at the end of the round that knocked down Soszynski and then followed this up with more punches to the downed fighter. Despite the round ending, referee Dan Mirgliotta called a stop to the contest, granting Rothwell the win via TKO.

After racking up 4 more consecutive IFL wins he fought future The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights winner and IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy Nelson, winning via split decision.

His next fight would be a rematch from almost 5 years earlier against veteran Travis Fulton, owner of 195 career victories. 3 minutes into the second round Rothwell secured a kimura causing Fulton to tap.

Rothwell then met Krzysztof Soszynski in a rematch of his IFL debut. Rothwell once again won via TKO, only 13 seconds into the bout.

His last fight in the IFL came against former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Ricco Rodriguez in the team finals. After controlling the fight and displaying superior striking, Rothwell won the fight via unanimous decision. However, the Silverbacks fell short of a victory and lost the championship to Renzo Gracie's Pitbulls. This would prove to be the last appearance Rothwell would have in the IFL, as he would eventually leave the organization due to a contract dispute.

During his time in the IFL, Rothwell had a 9–0 record.^[2]

Affliction

After leaving the IFL, Rothwell joined Affliction where he appeared in only one bout against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski, Rothwell lost the fight via knockout due to an uppercut in the final round. This ended Rothwell's 13 fight win streak and gave him his first defeat in over 3 years.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rothwell made his UFC debut on October 24, 2009 at UFC 104 against undefeated Cain Velasquez losing via TKO a minute into round 2. The fight was shrouded in controversy because Rothwell seemed to be getting to his feet as Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight, Rothwell was visibly upset with Mazzagatti's decision to stop the fight at that moment.^[3]

Rothwell was expected to face Mirko Filipović on February 21, 2010 at UFC 110.^[4] However, Rothwell had to withdraw from the event, just days prior, due to an illness and was replaced by Anthony Perosh.^[5]

Rothwell then fought Gilbert Yvel on June 15, 2010 at UFC 115 where he won by unanimous decision ^[6] During the first takedown Rothwell attempted he tore his ACL, following the fight Rothwell had surgery on it.^[7] Rothwell also suffered a deviated septum from a head kick during the first round.^[8]

After an extended layoff, Rothwell fought Mark Hunt on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135.^[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Rothwell then faced Brendan Schaub on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145. Rothwell came into the fight in very good physical shape, and looked the leanest that he had ever been up to that point in his career. After Schaub threw a spinning strike, Rothwell "played possum," pretending to be rocked with the strike while Schaub came in. Rothwell landed a left hook that knocked down Schaub before landing more punches to his downed opponent before referee Herb Dean called the stoppage. Although Schaub seemed to be unconscious, Rothwell was given a TKO victory. Rothwell also earned Knockout of the Night honors for his performance.

Rothwell was expected to face Travis Browne at UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera, but Rothwell pulled out due to an injury ^[10]

Rothwell faced Gabriel Gonzaga on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping^[11] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Rothwell faced Brandon Vera at UFC 164 on August 31, 2013.^[12] He won the fight via TKO by punches in round three. Subsequent to the bout, Rothwell tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. Due to Rothwell having applied for therapeutic usage exemption, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WDSPS) only issued him a warning. The UFC, however, opted to suspend Rothwell for 9 months.^[13]

Personal life

Rothwell is married to Jennifer DeBoer and has a daughter from a previous relationship and he also has a brother named Lon. Rothwell attended Waukesha County Technical College where he earned a technical degree in collision repair. Aside from working in his parent's restaurant, he used to work in a body shop and as a labor union construction worker in Chicago, Illinois. He is of Scandinavian descent, and is very proud of his heritage.^[14]

Mixed martial arts record

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
3 wins, 0 losses Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time 2005-01-23 Win Nobu Hayashi Shootboxing 2005 – Ground Zero Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

References

External links

• Rothwell MMA/LCCT BJJ
• Official UFC Profile
• Professional MMA record for Ben Rothwell from Sherdog
• www.BENROTHWELL.com