Ben Rothwell
Owner, Head Coach, BKFC Heavyweight Boxer, UFC Heavyweight Fighter
Rothwell MMA Kickboxing Rank
Black and red
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Rank
Purple + 4 stripes
Miletich Fighting Systems MMA Rank
Black
Roufusport Kickboxing Rank
Black
My Accomplishments
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Heavyweight Boxer.
Ultimate Fighting Chamiponship (UFC) Heavyweight Fighter.
2016 UFC Submission of the Year, Rothwell sub. Barnett.
Most Knockouts of all Heavyweight Fighters in the UFC.
Only undefeated International Fight League (IFL) fighter with 9 wins & 0 losses, and the fastest knockout of 13 seconds.
Over 24 years of Mixed Martial Arts experience.
Weight Class
Heavyweight
Professional Bare Knuckle Boxing Record
2 – 0
Professional MMA Record
39 – 14
Professional Kickboxing Record
3 – 0
Upcoming Fight
BKFC
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In 1999, I started training Mixed Martial Arts in Kenosha, Wisconsin. With only 1 month of training, at the age of 17, I competed in a 4-man Heavyweight tournament in Cleveland, Ohio. My first fight ever is designated the “Worst MMA Fight Ever” on You Tube, due to my opponent’s lack of ability and obvious ignorance of what he was getting into. My reward for winning that fight was competing in a second fight against a 31-year old man who smashed his first opponent in just 36 seconds. I went on to win with a Knockout from ground and pound. My journey as a Mixed Martial Artist had begun.
I built an undefeated 6 – 0 amateur record. Early on in my career, MMA was relatively unknown and fights were hard to come by. I gained experience across the Midwest, making long drives and little money. I turned pro and built an 18 – 4 professional record around the world. I fought in Hawaii, Russia, Brazil, and Japan. In 2003, I lost a fight by KO from a Brazilian kickboxer. Maybe my standup wasn’t as good as I thought. I returned home and sought out kickboxing expert, Duke Roufus of Milwaukee, WI. I was the first professional Mixed Martial Artist to walk through Duke’s doors. Duke and the kickboxers took me in and I began a love for punching, kicking, elbows, and knees.
As my talents were revealed, my competition increased. Training and fighting out of Kenosha did not prepare me for the competition ahead of me. I needed bigger and more experienced MMA training partners, coaches, and facilities. It was hard to find wrestlers and Jiu-Jitsu masters in Wisconsin and I began to search for a gym that was close enough to home that I could drive on the weekends to see my daughter and family.
I took a giant leap of faith and sought out Pat Miletich in Bettendorf, Iowa. Not only did Miletich teach my former coach, he was also named MMA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005. Miletich himself was a 5-time UFC Champion and coached 11 other world champions. From May 2004 to November 2009, I trained in Iowa with elite Mixed Martial Artists such as: Tim Sylvia- 5-time Heavyweight UFC champion, Matt Hughes – 9-time UFC champion and Hall of Famer, Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver – 155 pound UFC champion, Robbie Lawler- Superbrawl, Icon, EliteXC champion, and a legion of other world-class Mixed Martial Artists. The squad consisted of about 20 men. Roughly 100 fighters per year came to Iowa trying out for the team. Out of 100 men, maybe 2 would make it past the first week of training. It was a great honor to be part of the best MMA team in the Midwest.
In 2005, a revolutionary concept to bring MMA to the masses was conceived. The International Fight League (IFL) held fights between 5-member teams from training camps located around the world. Coached by Miletich, I joined the Quad City Silverbacks team of: Bart Palaszewski, Rory Markham, Ryan McGivern, and Mike Ciesnolevicz. We competed for personal and team victories through 2007. The Silverbacks dominated the IFL and were the only team to win two team championships. My personal victory in the IFL came from showing the world that I was a world-class fighter, the only IFL fighter to have an undefeated 9 – 0 record, most KO’s (5 total), fastest KO of 13 seconds. My time in the IFL put me at a 15 fight win streak; something not many have done at any level.
Late 2009, Coach Miletich sought retirement and I had to reevaluate my training in the Quad Cities. Every weekend for six years, I drove three hours each way back and forth to Kenosha, WI to spend time with my daughter. The long drives combined with the lack of a coach led me to the decision to move back to Kenosha, WI. I thought, “I’m coming home. Now what am I going to do?”
I decided to open my own gym in my home town of Kenosha. What started as a place for me to train, became a family of martial artists. I enjoy teaching members of my community, young and old, how to protect themselves.
I made my UFC Heavyweight debut in 2009. Since then, I put together UFC wins against Brendan Schuab, Alistair Overeem, Matt Mitrione, Josh Barnett, among others. In 2023, I joined Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). I continue training at Rothwell MMA and look forward to my next fight.