Most fighters at 43 are thinking about retirement speeches, not championship belts. Ben Rothwell had other ideas. On January 25, 2025, in front of 17,000 screaming fans at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, “Big Ben” needed just 36 seconds to dethrone Mick Terrill and capture the BKFC Heavyweight Championship. That thunderous right hand didn’t just win Rothwell a belt. It validated a 24-year journey through obesity, tragedy, legendary training camps, and the brutal grind of combat sports.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Ben Rothwell Fight Stats:

• BKFC Record: 4-0, 4 KOs (100% finish rate)
• MMA Record: 39-14 (28 KOs, 7 submissions)
• Height: 6’4″
• Weight: 265 lbs (cuts from 290+)
• Reach: 81 inches
• Age: 43 years old
• Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Current Ranking: #4 BKFC Pound-for-Pound

That BKFC record deserves emphasis. Four fights, four first-round knockouts, average fight time under one minute. At an age when most heavyweights are slowing down, Rothwell found a second gear nobody saw coming.

From Death’s Door to the Squared Circle

Rothwell’s story starts in a hospital bed in Kenosha, Wisconsin. At six years old, he contracted spinal meningitis. The disease put him in a coma, temporarily blinded him, and left him obese. According to his biographical timeline, the young Rothwell struggled with weight and identity through his teenage years at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake.

The troubled kid who got into fights wasn’t looking for a career. He was looking for an outlet. By 17, Rothwell started learning self-defense in 1999. That same year, tragedy struck again. A drunk driver hit Rothwell and a friend. His friend died two weeks later. Rothwell suffered a significant head injury and broken ribs.

The accident changed everything. Rothwell felt he had survived for a purpose. In September 1999, he began serious training under Dave Strasser in Kenosha. By 2001, he was a professional fighter.

The Making of a Heavyweight

Rothwell’s professional debut lasted 21 seconds. He won by TKO. His next three fights? All under two minutes, all by strikes. The kid from Wisconsin had found his calling, but he hadn’t found his ceiling yet.

His first loss came against future two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia. Instead of breaking him, it pushed Rothwell to seek better training. In 2003, Brazilian kickboxer Carlos Barreto knocked him out with a head kick. Rothwell’s response? Drive to Milwaukee and walk through the doors of Duke Roufus’ kickboxing gym.

Rothwell was the first professional MMA fighter to train at Duke Roufus’ gym. Duke, a legendary kickboxing coach, took him in. That partnership refined Rothwell’s striking into the devastating weapon it is today.

But striking wasn’t enough. In 2004, Rothwell took a “giant leap of faith” and sought out Pat Miletich in Bettendorf, Iowa. Miletich Fighting Systems was the premier MMA camp of the mid-2000s, home to champions like Tim Sylvia and Matt Hughes. Training alongside elite wrestlers and grapplers transformed Rothwell into a complete fighter.

IFL Dominance: The Perfect Record

From 2006 to 2007, Rothwell competed for the Quad City Silverbacks in the International Fight League. His record? An unblemished 9-0. He remains the only IFL fighter to retire with a perfect record in that promotion.

The competition was legitimate. Rothwell beat future UFC veterans Roy Nelson (split decision), Ricco Rodriguez (unanimous decision), and demolished Krzysztof Soszynski in 13 seconds in a rematch. Five of those nine wins came by knockout, establishing Rothwell as one of the IFL’s most dangerous heavyweights.

But the IFL pushed fighters too hard, scheduling fights with minimal recovery time. After requesting better pay and conditions, Rothwell was released. He’d gone 15 fights without a loss, but found himself starting over.

UFC Run: Trading Punches with Champions

Rothwell’s UFC debut came at UFC 104 in October 2009 against an undefeated prospect named Cain Velasquez. Rothwell lost via TKO in round two, but the controversy around the stoppage showed he could compete at the highest level.

Over 17 fights in the UFC from 2009 to 2021, Rothwell went 9-8. Those numbers don’t capture the quality of opposition. Rothwell fought six former or future UFC heavyweight champions: Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and others.

His best wins? A first-round knockout of Brendan Schaub at UFC 145 (Knockout of the Night), a second-round submission of Alistair Overeem in 2014, and a second-round submission of Josh Barnett in 2016. These weren’t fringe contenders. These were elite heavyweight fighters, and Rothwell beat them definitively.

Rothwell holds the record for most knockouts of all heavyweight fighters in UFC history during his tenure, demonstrating the power that would later translate perfectly to bare knuckle boxing.

Finding a Home in BKFC

After his UFC release in 2022 following a loss to Marcin Tybura, Rothwell faced a crossroads. At 40 years old, he could retire with a respectable career. Or he could try something new.

He chose bare knuckle boxing.

Rothwell debuted at BKFC 30 on October 1, 2022, against Bobo O’Bannon. The fight lasted 19 seconds. Rothwell landed what BKFC described as “one of the most disgusting uppercuts you will ever see”, knocking O’Bannon unconscious instantly.

Rothwell’s BKFC Career:

• BKFC 30 (Oct 2022): KO vs Bobo O’Bannon – 19 seconds
• BKFC 41 (Apr 2023): TKO vs Josh Copeland – 2:00 Round 3
• BKFC KnuckleMania IV (Apr 2024): TKO vs Todd Duffee – 0:43 Round 1
• BKFC KnuckleMania V (Jan 2025): KO vs Mick Terrill – 0:36 Round 1 (Won Championship)

Average fight time? Under one minute. The power that made Rothwell dangerous in MMA became absolutely devastating without gloves.

The Championship Moment

Mick Terrill entered KnuckleMania V as the BKFC heavyweight champion. He’d been on a massive winning streak since capturing the belt in late 2023. Terrill was young, hungry, and riding momentum.

None of it mattered.

The fight started with Terrill trying to close distance. Rothwell, at 43, showed the patience of a veteran. He waited for the opening. When it came, he threw a perfect right hand. According to Yahoo Sports coverage, the knockout was “one of the most powerful blows in promotion history.” Terrill crashed to the canvas. The fight was over at 36 seconds.

In his post-fight interview, Rothwell’s emotion poured out: “So many people have believed in me for so long and have wanted to see me get a world title, and I finally did it. At 43 years old, man, I thought I let the opportunity slip by me. I had kind of accepted the fact that I wouldn’t be a world champion. I went through the depression, through all the stages of grief, but here it is. It’s happened. It’s real, but it’s pretty surreal.”

The crowd of 17,000 erupted. BKFC president David Feldman wrapped the belt around Rothwell’s waist. After 24 years and countless setbacks, Ben Rothwell was finally a world champion.

The Weight Cut Reality

Rothwell’s success in BKFC comes with a brutal price: weight cuts. The heavyweight limit is 265 pounds. Rothwell walks around near 290-295 pounds.

After his KnuckleMania IV victory, Rothwell revealed to MMA Fighting that his weight cut for that bout was particularly brutal. He had to drop 31 pounds, with 20 of those pounds coming off in less than 24 hours.

The struggle led BKFC owner Conor McGregor to create a super heavyweight division specifically for fighters like Rothwell. The inaugural super heavyweight championship was scheduled for July 2025 in Australia, giving Rothwell a chance to compete at a more natural weight.

Fighting Style and What Makes Him Dangerous

Rothwell at 6’4″ with an 81-inch reach combines size, power, and veteran savvy. His striking, refined under Duke Roufus, features heavy hands and calculated pressure. He doesn’t rush. He stalks.

In the BKFC’s 22-foot circular Squared Circle, Rothwell’s style translates perfectly. The circular design eliminates corners, meaning defensive fighters can’t establish defensive positions. Rothwell applies constant forward pressure, cutting off circular movement, forcing opponents into exchanges they don’t want.

His chin remains solid despite decades of combat. He’s been knocked down but rarely stopped. That durability combined with one-punch power creates problems for any heavyweight.

What separates Rothwell from younger, more explosive fighters? Experience. At 43, he’s seen every trick, weathered every storm. When Leonardo Perdomo called him out after BKFC 78, Rothwell didn’t panic. He knows that hype doesn’t win fights. Preparation does.

The Perdomo Problem

Leonardo “El Zambo” Perdomo represents the biggest threat to Rothwell’s championship. The 33-year-old Cuban-American bomber holds an 9-0 BKFC record with all nine wins coming by first-round knockout. That’s not a typo. Nine straight first-round finishes.

According to Bare Knuckle Nation analysis, Perdomo is “the savior of the heavyweight division” with power that could rival anyone in bare knuckle history. After his latest knockout of Arnold Adams at BKFC 78, Perdomo called out Rothwell directly: “I want my belt! Where are you at, ‘Big’ Ben? Don’t be scared, little boy! You will respect me. I’m coming to get you!”

The callout has fans salivating. Perdomo’s raw power and youth versus Rothwell’s experience and technical striking. It’s the classic MMA matchup: young lion versus old dog.

BKFC president David Feldman addressed the inevitable confrontation: “Who else out there is knocking everybody out in the first round? Not anybody in the history of our sport has scored eight first-round knockouts in a row. He probably punched his ticket to the title shot.”

The question isn’t if they’ll fight. It’s when, and whether Rothwell’s experience can overcome Perdomo’s devastating power.

Betting Implications and Fight Analysis

Rothwell opened as a slight underdog against Terrill at KnuckleMania V. That bet paid off spectacularly for anyone who backed Big Ben. The lesson? Don’t underestimate veteran heavyweights with knockout power in the tight confines of the BKFC Squared Circle.

Key Betting Factors for Rothwell Fights:

• 100% finish rate in BKFC: Every Rothwell fight ends early. Over/under props favor the under.
• First-round finishes: Three of four BKFC wins came in round one. Round-specific props offer value.
• Experience edge: Against less experienced bare knuckle fighters, Rothwell’s decades of combat sports knowledge provides advantages markets may underprice.
• Power vs. Power matchups: When facing another knockout artist like Perdomo, first-to-land dynamics create high variance.
• Age concerns overblown: At 43, markets may overcorrect on age. Rothwell’s recent performances show no decline.

The Perdomo fight, when it happens, will be fascinating from a betting perspective. Perdomo’s perfect record and devastating power will likely make him the favorite. But Rothwell’s championship experience and technical striking could provide value on the underdog side.

Historical comparison: when aging champions with knockout power face explosive young contenders, variance increases. In bare knuckle boxing’s compressed fighting area, one punch changes everything. Neither fighter can afford a mistake.

Life Outside the Squared Circle

Rothwell is a gym owner, husband, father, and community figure in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Rothwell Mixed Martial Arts, which he established in 2009, teaches MMA, kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and fitness to students of all ages. In June 2024, Rothwell expanded by purchasing a 12,000-square-foot property that opened as a larger MMA gym in March 2025.

He holds a technical degree in collision repair from Waukesha County Technical College. Before fighting full-time, he worked at his parents’ restaurant, in a body shop, and as a labor union construction worker in Chicago.

Rothwell is married with three children: two daughters and a son. His wife serves as his chef, managing his diet and helping with the brutal weight cuts that come with competing at heavyweight.

What’s Next for Big Ben

Rothwell stated after winning the championship that he wants to be a busy champion. “I’m ready for anything. I want to be a busy champion and leave my mark as a champion in the sport of bare knuckle fighting.”

He also expressed hope for defending his title in Wisconsin, where bare knuckle fighting is in the process of being legalized. Bringing a championship fight home to Kenosha would be the ultimate full-circle moment.

But first, there’s the Perdomo question. The undefeated knockout artist has earned his shot. BKFC knows it. Fans demand it. The only question is timing.

Rothwell also mentioned interest in the super heavyweight division, where he wouldn’t have to endure the brutal 265-pound weight cut. Competing at a more natural weight could extend his career and give him a chance at dual championship status.

Legacy and What It All Means

Ben Rothwell’s story resonates because it’s real. This isn’t a manufactured comeback narrative. This is a fighter who overcame childhood illness, survived tragedy, trained under legends, competed at the highest levels, and refused to quit when conventional wisdom said he should.

At 43, when most fighters are retired or hanging on for paychecks, Rothwell captured his first world championship. The emotional weight of that moment at the Wells Fargo Center wasn’t manufactured. That was 24 years of sacrifice, doubt, and perseverance exploding in 36 seconds.

For bettors and analysts, Rothwell represents value in veteran experience. Markets tend to overweight youth and athleticism while undervaluing fight IQ, technical skill, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Rothwell possesses all three.

For fans, he’s proof that champions can be made at any age. The kid who nearly died from meningitis, who struggled with obesity, who lost friends to tragedy, became a world champion at 43. That’s not just a sports story. That’s a human story.

The heavyweight division in BKFC runs through Ben Rothwell. Perdomo might be the future. But right now, at this moment, the present belongs to Big Ben. And he’s not giving it up without the fight of his life.

Fighter Profile Summary:

• Strengths: Devastating knockout power, elite striking technique, veteran experience, strong chin, intelligent pressure fighting
• Weaknesses: Age (43), brutal weight cuts, less mobility than younger heavyweights
• Best Wins: Mick Terrill (BKFC), Alistair Overeem (UFC), Josh Barnett (UFC), Roy Nelson (IFL)
• Signature Weapon: Right hand overhand/uppercut
• Fighting Out Of: Rothwell MMA – Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Coaches: Duke Roufus (striking), Pat Miletich influence (grappling/wrestling)

Ben Rothwell proved that in combat sports, it’s never too late. Championships don’t have expiration dates. Heart, skill, and the willingness to risk everything matter more than the number of candles on a birthday cake. At 43, Big Ben is just getting started.