“Big” Ben Rothwell has his BKFC debut date set.
Rothwell (39-14 MMA), a longtime UFC heavyweight, signed on with the bare-knuckle outfit earlier this year. He’ll make his debut for the promotion on October 1, 2022, taking on Bobo O’Bannon (3-2 BKB).
MMA Fighting was first to report news of the booking. Both the date and opponent had previously been rumored, with BKFC President David Feldman confirming the date late last month.
Rothwell last competed at UFC Vegas 42 in November 2021, losing via TKO to Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Although he later had a fight booked against Alexander Gustafsson, Rothwell instead requested his release from the promotion, landing with BKFC a short time later.
Finishing his UFC career at 3-2 in his last five fights, Rothwell was 9-8 overall in his twelve years with the company. He holds notable wins over Chris Barnett, former champ Josh Barnett, Stefan Struve, former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, and others.
Prior to the UFC, Rothwell spent time in Affliction and the International Fight League; in the latter, he picked up a win over future TUF winner Roy Nelson.
O’Bannon, a.k.a. “The Bible Belt Brawler,” is 2-2 under the BKFC banner, with a loss to another UFC veteran, Alan Belcher, in his last fight. All of his fights, win or lose, have ended inside the distance.
