In the highly anticipated bare-knuckle boxing event of Knuckle Mania 5, experienced UFC veteran Ben Rothwell has forecasted an unexpected surprise for BKFC Heavyweight Champion, Mick Terrill. Rothwell, with 17 fights under the auspices of UFC, has transitioned into bare-knuckle boxing, maintaining a flawless record of 3-0 and is on the brink of capturing his inaugural world title in the BKFC.
As the co-main event staged in Philadelphia’s Knuckle Mania, Rothwell is poised to challenge the reigning champ Terrill, fresh from his victory against Todd Duffee last April. Indeed, Terrill has established a unique reputation in the BKFC, having never donned the gloves for MMA; his bare-knuckle boxing career predates the inception of the BKFC.
Terrill’s game record boasts victories over renowned champs such as Lorenzo Hunt and Arnold Adams, notwithstanding the absence of a UFC titan. Rothwell acknowledges Terrill’s seasoned presence in the sport, describing him as ‘the most seasoned bareknuckle crusader I have ever encountered’, with Terrill shining a 9-1 win-loss record in bare-knuckle boxing.
However, Rothwell asserts his well-established fighting trajectory, dubbing himself as ‘the most accomplished adversary Terrill has ever locked horns with’. Rothwell notes the unprecedented challenge that awaits Terrill, alluding to the inevitable and monumental shift in Terrill’s combat experience after their bout.
Rothwell has confidence in Terrill’s resilience, acknowledging that it will deter him from an easy defeat similar to Terrill’s last opponent Duffee. He contends, ‘his resilience will see him evade an anticlimactic 45 seconds tumble that playwrighted the downfall of Todd Duffee.’
Rothwell’s assertion emerges from multiple bouts against the crème de la crème of the UFC Heavyweight division, including heavy hitters such as Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, and double victor over Andrei Arlovski. A gleaming testament to his prowess inside the Octagon, ‘Big’ Ben Rothwell once consecutively ravaged four adversaries.
Speculation over whether Terrill feels daunted by Rothwell’s intimidating UFC fight history has surfaced. Rothwell, who dominated the UFC stage from 2009 to 2021, discusses these speculations, placing himself in Terrill’s shoes and theorizing that the overwhelming feat may indeed be quite daunting for his opponent.
Rothwell comments on his opponent’s lack of MMA experiences, ‘He simply hasn’t crossed paths with any competitor from my fraternity. His fight history lacks the names that once caused tremors in the UFC belt chase.’
Rothwell further elaborates on the stark contrast in their fight experiences, highlighting his bouts with global MMA giants. ‘While he aspires to challenge Mark Hunt, I’ve been in the ring with the Hunts of this world. I’ve tasted both victory and defeat against the finest the fight scene has to offer.’
In a final note, Rothwell alludes to the rigors of his past fight experiences, underscoring his endurance by citing his survival in multiple five-round fights, a feat Terrill has yet to take on. ‘The elite fighting class of the world rings different, and I am hell-bent on ensuring he finds his introduction quite eventful.’