BEN ROTHWELL

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

RIGHT OVER HOOK

Level 2—Both Standing, Striking Range

Rothwell brings the pain with this strong haymaker.

LEFT ELBOW

Level 2—Salaverry, Top

Get top position in the mounted crucifix and drop these heavy elbows on your helpless opponent.

SHOOT TO DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN

Level 2—Over/Under Hook

“Big Ben’s” a better striker than wrestler, but this will get you on top of a shifty opponent for some ground-and-pound Level 2 strikes.

STRENGTHS

• Well rounded

• Size

• Strength

“Big Ben” Rothwell is a long brawler with heavy hands. He has a well-rounded game, and that is his greatest strength.

Take advantage of his solid defense, but if possible, keep the fight standing and press forward with punches. He is a power guy with more than half of his wins coming by knockout.

So far he has posted a 1-2 record in his first three fights since joining the UFC, all against quality opponents, one of those being a loss to the former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez before he took the belt.

Use your well-rounded skill set to counter what your opponent brings to the ring, but big punches from standing and ground-and-pound punches and elbows are going to bring Rothwell his success in the ring.

WEAKNESSES

• Ground defense

• Cardio

• Kicks

If your fighter is an athletic heavyweight, test Rothwell’s cardio by staying very busy. Put him on the ground and get on top to nullify his punching power.

If you look at his record, you’ll notice that he has a bunch of wins by submission, but many of those are at the mercy of his striking or from injury.

When you are standing, stay out of his range and shoot in for the clinch and takedowns.

Then, when he’s on his back, he’ll be easier to control with his mediocre grappling. He isn’t terrible in any one area, but he is far and away a better puncher than anything else, so get your hands on him and don’t let him go.

Ground-and-pound him for the KO or wear him down and lock in a submission.