In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night New Jersey, Ben Rothwell did what no man has ever done in the UFC and submitted Josh Barnett.
Rothwell and Barnett are two of the heavyweight division’s best and the win could put Rothwell on the short list of viable contenders for the heavyweight title. It was his fourth win in a row and his most impressive to date.
The idea that Ben Rothwell might knock out former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett on Saturday night was reasonable. After all, this was a heavyweight fight, and Rothwell has knocked out his fair share of opponents.
But to suggest Rothwell would submit Barnett would seem like madness. Barnett’s a submission artist with 20 career submission wins and is the Metamoris heavyweight champion.
And yet, the unbelievable occurred, as Rothwell submitted Barnett with a guillotine at the 3:48 mark of the second round in their UFC on FOX 18 co-feature bout in Newark, the first time Barnett has ever tapped to a submission hold.
More about Ben Rothwell
TRAINING: Cardio & weight lifting in the morning, MMA at night.
When and why did you start training for fighting? 1999 to learn self-defense
Do you have any heroes? George Washington
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? For my career in MMA, it is everything
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Waukesha County Technical College – technical degree in collision repair
What was your job before you started fighting? I was 17 and worked for my parents in their restaurant.
Favorite grappling technique: The Jackson
site: ufc.com
