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Tag: Ben Rothwell

  • BKFC President On Potential Ben Rothwell vs. Francis Ngannou Fight: ‘[PFL] Don’t Want To Partner With Us’

    BKFC President On Potential Ben Rothwell vs. Francis Ngannou Fight: ‘[PFL] Don’t Want To Partner With Us’

    BKFC founder David Feldman isn’t holding much hope of the PFL allowing heavyweight star Francis Ngannou to answer Ben Rothwell’s recent callout.

    Rothwell has enjoyed a fruitful stint in bare-knuckle boxing since his lengthy tenure in the UFC reached its conclusion after 17 fights back in 2021. “Big Ben” has amassed a 4-0 record under the BKFC banner with nothing but knockouts.

    His latest victory was at last month’s KnuckleMania V event in Philadelphia, where the veteran heavyweight delivered an early Knockout of the Year candidate. A violent 36-second finish of Mick Terrill secured Rothwell the BKFC heavyweight title, and all eyes will certainly now be on the 43-year-old’s next outing.

    The American set his sights high during his post-fight press conference, dropping the name of former UFC champion and current PFL Super Fights titleholder Francis Ngannou as a desired opponent.

    During a recent interview with MMA Knockout, the BKFC president addressed that suggestion, explaining why he doesn’t see it as a possibility despite his promotion’s willingness to do business with rival organizations like the PFL.

    “That would be a fantastic payday for Ben Rothwell, and I wouldn’t be opposed to something like that happening,” Feldman said. “But I just don’t think the PFL are gonna do it.

    “UFC doesn’t need us, and all the rest of the promotions really don’t want to help us out because it’s just gonna help us get bigger and bigger. So, they don’t wanna do that,” Feldman continued. “They don’t wanna partner with us because they feel it’s gonna help us and not help them as much as it could because Francis Ngannou is a big name.”

    Ngannou has competed just once in the PFL since signing in May 2023, knocking out Renan Ferreira in quick time last October.

    Having previously fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing, “The Predator” is expected to return to the ring for his next combat sports outing.

  • BKFC’s Ben Rothwell Catches Attention Of Different Ex-UFC Heavyweight After Calling Out Francis Ngannou

    BKFC’s Ben Rothwell Catches Attention Of Different Ex-UFC Heavyweight After Calling Out Francis Ngannou

    Should his callout of Francis Ngannou fall on deaf ears, BKFC star Ben Rothwell looks to have at least one other high-profile option for his next fight.

    Rothwell has established himself as a dominant force in bare-knuckle boxing since his 17-fight tenure under the UFC banner reached its conclusion in 2021.

    “Big Ben” has gone 4-0 under the BKFC banner, with every win coming via knockout. His most recent triumph was at this past weekend’s KnuckleMania V event in Philadelphia, where the 43-year-old powerhouse delivered an early Knockout of the Year contender.

    With his violent 36-second KO of Mick Terrill, Rothwell captured the BKFC heavyweight title. Plenty of eyes will no doubt now be on the veteran’s next outing, and he’s setting his sights high.

    During his post-fight press conference, Rothwell name-dropped a former UFC champion and the current PFL Super Fights heavyweight titleholder as a potential opponent.

    “Francis Ngannou maybe,” Rothwell said. “We need to get some big names in this. I don’t know who’s on the roster, especially after tonight, that’s jumping in to fight me. They’ll say it but when it really comes down to it and I’m standing in front of you, things change.”

    Whether or not that could come to fruition remains to be seen. Ngannou is tied up with the PFL and expected to explore boxing options in 2025 following battles with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

    But should that rule “The Predator” out, another former UFC heavyweight is interested in the assignment.

    “U sure u want the smoke @rothwellfighter lets see it then,” Mark Hunt wrote on X.

    Rothwell and Hunt are familiar with one another, having shared the Octagon at UFC 135 back in 2011. “The Super Samoan” emerged victorious at the event, outpointing his American counterpart across three rounds.

    While “Big Ben” has been racking up wins in BKFC, the New Zealander hasn’t competed since defeating rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams in the boxing ring three years ago. He’s remained in the headlines due to his legal dispute with the UFC.

  • Report: Alexander Gustafsson To Make HW Return Vs. Ben Rothwell

    A heavyweight showdown between former UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson and Ben Rothwell is targeted for May 21.

    The news of the targeted matchup was first reported by Frontkick.

    Gustafsson will make his heavyweight return after nearly two years away from the sport. He lost fought against former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC Fight Island 3 via first-round submission.

    Gustafsson announced his retirement from MMA following back-to-back losses at light heavyweight against Jon Jones and Anthony Smith. He quickly walked back on his previous retirement plans for a move to heavyweight.

    Gustafsson also teased a potential move back to light heavyweight in 2021, but his planned fight against Paul Craig was called off due to an undisclosed injury.

    Rothwell has won three of his last five fights but most recently got knocked out by Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC Vegas 42. Before that, he had picked up impressive wins over the likes of Stefan Struve and Ovince St. Preux.

    Gustafsson made his UFC debut at light heavyweight at UFC 105, earning a first-round knockout over Jared Hamman. He would go on a run of six-straight wins before a controversial loss to Jones at UFC 165 for the 205-pound belt.

    Despite the setback, Gustafsson remained in the light heavyweight title picture and would eventually earn a rematch with Jones at UFC 232. This time, it was a less competitive fight as Jones finished him in the third round.

    It’s unclear how many fights Gustafsson has on his current UFC contract, but he’s looking to potentially earn one last run at a UFC title before his career comes to a close. As for Rothwell, he’s looking to prove that he remains a dangerous contender in the division.

    What are your thoughts on Alexander Gustafsson vs. Ben Rothwell?