If the name Max Rohskopf has yet to hit your radar, now is as good a time as any. The Division I wrestler from North Carolina State has quietly been racking up wins and diligently honing his craft in Las Vegas, between Xtreme Couture and Zenith MMA (Drysdale Jiu Jitsu’s MMA team). At 4-0 with a 100 percent finish rate, the self-labeled ‘Rated-R Superstar’ has taken the path of MOST resistance, and has not only survived, but thrived in the shark tank that is professional MMA.
Despite his wrestling credentials, Rohskopf is adamant that he is more than another run-of-the-mill wrestler with a superiority complex about fighting. He takes tremendous pride in being a finisher and understands the importance of setting himself apart from his peers.
“I think there’s a big gap in MMA right now with some of the wrestlers. They get on top, dominate and win the decision,” he said. “A lot of wrestlers have power in their hands, so they’re going to get knockouts. I’m not just a wrestler that’s trying to be a boxer or a kickboxer. As soon as it hits the ground I’m finishing the fight.”
Fight promotions are beginning to take notice. Rohskopf initially signed a deal with Legacy Fighting Alliance, although difficulty finding an opponent has led him to fight in other organizations like Final Fight Championship in Las Vegas. The media are noticing him too, including our own Shawn Bitter, who considers him one of the ‘Top 25 Pro MMA Prospects with Five Fights or Less.’
MMA Junkie’s Nolan King wrote a story last month entitled ’20 fighters who could become stars in the 2020s’ where Rohskopf is listed among some impressive company, many of whom are already in the UFC and have impressive wins in the world’s premiere MMA organization— with Maycee Barber, Zabit Magomedsharipov and Paulo Costa among them.
“It gives me energy, man. I’ve never been that guy. When I started wrestling, no one wanted me to do it. Everyone thought it was a bad idea. Even when I got to Division I, everyone thought DI was going to be too hard (for me),” Rohskopf said. “I’ve always been the underdog.”
His undefeated record, finish rate and wrestling pedigree certainly contribute to his potential value as a prospect to watch, but the quality of his performance and his opponent’s are even more impressive. In his last victory, he came into the bout with a 3-0 record against a regional champion with over 20 pro fights. He faced Zach Zane — who competed on season three of UFC’s ‘Contender Series’, and Rohskopf submitted Zane in just over a minute.
Naturally, it was not long before bigger promotions came calling. Rohskopf will make his first UFC Fight Pass appearance later this month when he takes on Paulo Silva at Titan FC 59 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Silva is a veteran of Titan FC and welcomes Max Rohskopf to the organization in the co-main event.
