Ben Rothwell (born October 17, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer who competes as a Heavyweight and is the former BKFC Heavyweight World Champion. He most notably had a 17 bout stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and competed 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. He also competed for the World Series of Fighting and Absolute Championship Berkut.
Since his departure from the UFC in 2022, Rothwell has competed in the Heavyweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he is a former BKFC Heavyweight Champion. As of April 13, 2026, he is #2 in the heavyweight rankings.
Contents
Background
Rothwell is from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and both of his parents work in the restaurant business. His parents own a catering company. He is of Norwegian and 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 in Paddock Lake. By the time he was a junior in high school, Rothwell knew that he enjoyed fighting, and in 1999, at the age of 17, he began learning self-defense. In July of that same year, after he 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 complete.
Mixed martial arts career
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 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 Miragliotta 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 Filipović 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 (30–27, 29–28, and 29–28). 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. He won the fight via knockout in round one. 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.
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On April 25, 2022, it was announced that Rothwell joined Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He won his first two fights with the promotion.
In his third fight for the promotion, Rothwell was scheduled to face Todd Duffee at BKFC 56 on December 2, 2023. However, on November 30, it was announced the bout was cancelled due to Rothwell having an illness. The fight against Duffee was rescheduled for BKFC Knucklemania IV in Los Angeles on April 27, 2024. Rothwell won the fight by technical knockout after Duffee was knocked down and injured in the first round.
Rothwell competed for the BKFC Heavyweight Championship against champion Mick Terrill on January 25, 2025 at BKFC Knucklemania V. He won the championship by knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Knockout of the Night award.
Rothwell was scheduled to face Alex Simon at BKFC 79 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on July 19, 2025. However, the event was removed for unknown reasons.
Rothwell attempted to defend his BKFC World Heavyweight Championship against Andrei Arlovski on February 7, 2026 at BKFC Knucklemania VI. The bout was their first meeting in bare‑knuckle boxing after two previous fights in mixed martial arts. Rothwell lost the championship by technical knockout due to a doctor stoppage in the third round.
Personal life
Rothwell attended Waukesha County Technical College, where he earned a technical degree in collision repair. Aside from working at his parents' restaurant, he also worked at a body shop and as a labor union construction worker in Chicago, Illinois.
Rothwell is married and has 2 daughters and a son. 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.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Brendan Schaub
Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Alistair Overeem, Josh Barnett
UFC.com Awards
2014: Ranked #5 Upset of the Year vs. Alistair Overeem
2016: Submission of the Year vs. Josh Barnett
United States Mixed Martial Arts
USMMA Heavyweight Championship (One time; first)
Forbes
2016 UFC Submission of the Year vs. Josh Barnett at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader
Bloody Elbow
2016 Submission of the Year vs. Josh Barnett at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader
MMADNA.nl
2016 Submission of the Year vs. Josh Barnett at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC World Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Knockout of the Night (Two times) vs. Bobo O'Bannon and Mick Terrill