Ben Rothwell, a former UFC heavyweight, has revitalized his career after signing with BKFC due to less physical punishment involved in bare-knuckle fighting compared to MMA.
Ben Rothwell, who has spent 20 years competing in MMA, recently left UFC with one bare-knuckle fight and a second scheduled at BKFC 41. The 41-year-old heavyweight is thrilled about his career reboot, but it has more to do with his body’s reduced punishment during training, regardless of wins or losses. Rothwell has heard plenty of critics call bare-knuckle fighting too brutal, but he is quick to shut down the criticism by comparing the dangers it poses to MMA.
A study conducted over two and a half years and 131 fights revealed that bare-knuckle fights have a higher rate of facial lacerations but produce lower concussion rates than both MMA and boxing. Rothwell acknowledges that the brutal nature of the sport attracts a specific fanbase, but he still believes that overall, it is the safer option. With his current occupation at BKFC, Rothwell has noticed a significant difference in his daily grind and the damage done to his body compared to that of MMA.
Rothwell credits his decision to switch to BKFC for the longevity of his career, as the MMA training had more of a negative impact on his body. He explains that he is now able to box without problems and that in the past, his body would ache for days after a wrestling practice. He also points out that fighters are not compensated for the training camps that take a toll on their bodies. Currently, Rothwell feels better than ever; he is enthusiastic about his future and believes that his stint in bare-knuckle fighting will give him a few more years on the fight calendar than if he had stayed in MMA.
As for his goals, Rothwell has yet to reveal any long-term plans, but he’s focused on winning and achieving the high goals he has set for himself. He is passionate about showing people that he is one of the most brutal heavyweights on the planet and is looking forward to this opportunity to prove himself.