Heavyweight

Ben Rothwell

UFC 2009–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 82.0

Scouting report

Deceptive agility, overhand rights, and his signature "gogo choke" made Ben "Big Ben" Rothwell an unpredictable heavyweight fixture out of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rothwell scored a knockout over Alistair Overeem and became the first fighter to submit Josh Barnett in the UFC, his physical power and submission danger reflected in a 77 Strength score, 71 BJJ, and 78 Overall rating.

Peak ratings

Boxing84
Kickboxing76
Wrestling78
BJJ82
Strength89
Durability88
Cardio78
Fight IQ80

By edition

2010–2013Overall 78
Boxing82
Kickboxing74
Wrestling76
BJJ78
Strength88
Durability86
Cardio76
Fight IQ78

Rothwell established his durable heavyweight presence between 2012 and 2013, knocking out Brendan Schaub with a counter left hook in Atlanta and stopping Brandon Vera with knees and punches in Milwaukee, while dropping bouts to Mark Hunt and Gabriel Gonzaga. His 265-pound size, durability, and punching power are reflected in an 86 Durability and 82 Boxing.

2014–2015Overall 82
Boxing84
Kickboxing76
Wrestling78
BJJ82
Strength89
Durability88
Cardio78
Fight IQ80

Rothwell compiled a three-fight finishing streak between 2014 and 2015, knocking out Alistair Overeem in round one in Mashantucket and submitting Matt Mitrione with his signature gogo choke in New Orleans. His chin, front-choke submission danger, and overhand punches anchor his 84 Boxing and 88 Durability.

2016–2017Overall 80
Boxing83
Kickboxing74
Wrestling77
BJJ80
Strength88
Durability86
Cardio76
Fight IQ78

In January 2016 in Newark, Rothwell became the first fighter to submit Josh Barnett, catching him in a gogo choke in round two, before dropping a five-round striking decision to Junior dos Santos in Zagreb. His front headlock submissions, right hands, and durable frame justify his 83 Boxing and 86 Durability.

2018–2019Overall 79
Boxing82
Kickboxing74
Wrestling76
BJJ78
Strength88
Durability84
Cardio76
Fight IQ78

Returning from an extended suspension in 2019, Rothwell dropped decision losses to Blagoy Ivanov and Andrei Arlovski before scoring a second-round TKO victory over Stefan Struve in Washington D.C. with inside combinations. His durable boxing, physical size, and front-choke submission threat maintain his 82 Boxing and 84 Durability ratings.

Draft Ben Rothwell into your build

Ben Rothwell enters the pool on any spin landing on heavyweight between 2010 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.

Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Ben Rothwell is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Ben Rothwell's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.