Ben Rothwell is finally set to make his BKFC debut on Saturday in the co-main event of BKFC 30 in Monroe, Louisana.
Earlier this year, Rothwell asked for his UFC release and later signed with BKFC. Once he signed with BKFC, he expected to get a fight relatively soon but that didn’t happen and he will now fight Bobo O’Bannon on Saturday.
“Honestly, yeah. When I signed I thought something would happen early summer and then it got pushed to August and the Mike Perry fight got made which is obviously a big deal for them,” Rothwell said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “I didn’t realize it would take until October but I’m here against an opponent that called me out and one that I wanted as well. It will be a good card, got a good main event, and it’s a good place to come and prove myself.”
Rothwell is coming off a 32-second TKO loss to Marcos Rogerio de Lima which was a disappointing performance for him. However, he thinks that is why Bobo O’Bannon called him out as he thinks his opponent believes it is an easy fight for him. However, Rothwell plans to make O’Bannon regret his callout rather quickly on Saturday.
“There is nothing better than making someone regret their wish… I think there is some underestimating going on and is focusing on my last fight, not all of my fights. He’s hoping I’m a version that every guy dreams of me showing up,” Rothwell explained. “Josh Barnett said there are two versions, there’s the guy that they all hope shows up and I lose fights when I show up like that, and then there is a guy that shows up that has almost 30 knockouts and a slew of finishes. I know what’s in me and I know I’m one of the best fighters in the world. Bobo is a good opponent because he wants to stand and fight and has something to prove something.”
Not only does Ben Rothwell plan to make Bobo O’Bannon regret his callout, but he’s confident he will get the stoppage win rather quickly. He wouldn’t be surprised if he finished it in the first round but says the longer the fight goes, the worse it will be for O’Bannon.
“I really can’t say a time, the longer we are in there the worse it is for him, I believe that 100 percent. I just feel like every minute will be great for the fans,” Rothwell said. “It could be over in a minute, it could be the second round. You never know how Bobo is going to show up, they don’t know how I’m going to show up. But, I definitely don’t see it going many rounds.”
If Rothwell gets his hand raised and does so by stoppage, he thinks he could be in line to fight the winner of Arnold Adams vs. Alan Belcher for the heavyweight title. Yet, he isn’t opposed to fighting again and continuing to get experience in BKFC.
“Arnold Adams and Belcher are going to fight for the belt, so we have to let that happen. I could maybe with a good performance get a number one contender spot. But, who knows, it’s combat sports. All I know is I don’t give a shit, they will put someone in front of me and I will end them as many times as I have to,” Rothwell concluded.
It was sad to see his chin finally fail him. Always wanted to see him fight Derrick Lewis. Swangin and bangin.
Was fun to watch
I thought so too, until Cain raped him violently
Great guy to watch. Had that Homer Simpson skull and ridiculous power when he landed.
Hilarious in cage interviews aswell.
I will always root for Big Ben.
He’s like a dungeons and dragons dork with the dna of a viking marauder. And his evil laugh was the most uncomfortable thing ive seen in the ring since “dont fear me”.
lol was just thinking that
and Buentello
I so called this fight in a prior thread and am beyond pumped lolll.
As much as I like Big Ben over the years, WAR BIBLE BELT BRAWLER BOBO O’BANNON!!!
KaBOOM !!!
Yea this will be pure insanity.
Bobo has become a legend to me. “The Bible Belt Brawler” is all the rage! I wish he fought on every card lol WAR BOBO God Bless.
Idk who that is
He’s a staple in BKFC HW division. A former boxer who I think went 13-6 or so as a pro now just banging it out Bare Knuckle.
His handle “The Bible Belt Brawler” is like the best thing I heard I love it lol always rooting for BOBO.
This might be the most accurate description of Ben I’ve ever heard.
Link me?
Shit I just have the BKFC app subscription so I look back on old fights.
Here’s a fun highlight Every Bobo The Bible Belt Brawler O'Bannon knockdown - YouTube
Bobo said in an interview he likes to take one on the chin from his opponent almost immediately, just to see what kind of power he’s working with right off the bat…
A hilarious statement, Bobo takes great pride in his durability he is the Bible Belt Brawler!!!