Ben Rothwell

Background

Rothwell is from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and both of his parents work in the restaurant business. His parents, Dan and Vicki, own a catering company. Rothwell is of Irish descent. 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, Rothwell began learning self-defense. In July of that same year, after Rothwell had been in three professional fights, he and a friend were involved in a car accident with a drunk driver. Rothwell's friend, who was 19 years old, died two weeks later, and Rothwell suffered a significant head injury, in addition to broken ribs. The event changed Rothwell's life, causing him to feel as though he has a purpose to compete.

Early career

Rothwell began his training in September 1999, before joining Miletich Fighting Systems in 2002.

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 won his next three fights, all under two minutes into the first round and all with strikes. Rothwell 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 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 fight 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 exchange strikes with Rothwell, and landed a left uppercut and held his own until he was knocked down by a short left hook from Rothwell, who then slammed Soszynski to the canvas. After working from side control and then standing again, 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 his downed opponent. Despite the round ending, referee Dan Mirgliotta called a stop to the contest, granting Rothwell the win via TKO.

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

His next fight was a rematch from almost five years earlier against veteran Travis Fulton, owner of 195 career victories. Three minutes into the second round, Rothwell secured a kimura, causing Fulton to submit.

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 New York Pitbulls. This was Rothwell's last appearance in the IFL, as he eventually left the organization due to a contract dispute.

During his time in the IFL, Rothwell had a 9–0 record.

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 three years.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rothwell made his UFC debut on October 24, 2009 at UFC 104 against undefeated Cain Velasquez losing via TKO one minute into round two. The stoppage was controversial, 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. After the fight, UFC president Dana White stated that Mazzagatti was the "worst referee in the history of combat sports".

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

Rothwell then fought Gilbert Yvel on June 15, 2010 at UFC 115 where he won by unanimous decision Rothwell tore his ACL during his first takedown attempt, which required post-fight surgery. Rothwell also suffered a deviated septum from a head kick during the first round.

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

Rothwell then faced Brendan Schaub on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145. Rothwell landed a counter left hook in an exchange against the fence that knocked Schaub down before following up with strikes on the ground, causing referee Herb Dean to call for 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 pulled out due to an injury

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

Rothwell faced Brandon Vera at UFC 164 on August 31, 2013. He won the fight via TKO by punches in round three. Subsequent to the bout, Rothwell tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. The UFC suspended Rothwell for nine months, despite the Wisconsin commission only issuing him with an administrative warning.

Rothwell was briefly linked to a bout with Ruslan Magomedov for on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177. However, on July 9, the UFC announced he would face Alistair Overeem on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. Rothwell won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Rothwell his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Rothwell faced Matt Mitrione on June 6, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 68. He won the fight via submission in the first round, the first submission win of his UFC career.

Rothwell was expected to face Stipe Miocic on October 24, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76. However, Miocic pulled out of the fight on October 13 citing injury. Subsequently, Rothwell was removed from the card the following day after the promotion deemed that a suitable opponent could not be arranged on short notice.

Rothwell is expected to face Josh Barnett on January 30, 2016 at UFC on Fox 18.

Personal life

Rothwell attended Waukesha County Technical College where he earned a technical degree in collision repair. Aside from working in his parents' restaurant, he worked in a body shop and as a labor union construction worker in Chicago, Illinois. Rothwell is married and has a daughter. Currently, Rothwell and his wife own Rothwell Mixed Martial Arts in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rothwell MMA, established in 2011, teaches MMA, kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, self-defense, yoga, and fitness to children and adults of all ages and experience levels. Rothwell is also the head coach for an MMA competition team of 30 amateur and professional MMA fighters. They often compete as a team at Wisconsin Xtreme Cage Fighting (WXCF) events at Racine Memorial Hall.

Mixed martial arts