MMA Worldwide

Ben Rothwell: The wake of Stardom

Posted by Deshalen Barber on the 2 September 2009 | No Comments

On Sept 1^st, the UFC held a press conference open to the public in support of the upcoming UFC 104 event, which headlines Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua, as well as co-headlining Cain Vasquez against the always-game Ben Rothwell.

 

The day’s festivities kicked off at noon before several hundreds of fans showing their loyalty by bantering chants back and forth for their respective fighters.

 

The press conference, which involves a day of media events as the UFC promotes the Oct. 24 title fight, also granted the first 104 fans to show up two free tickets to witness the match between UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and challenger Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

 

Post the press conference I was fortunate enough to take a few moments of Ben Rothwell’s time and ask a few questions about his up coming bout and former rival Roy Nelson

 

MMA Worldwide: Recently you have had a change in opponents from Chase Gormly to Cain Velasquez. Do you feel you had to change your camp strategy seeing how both fighters have a strong wrestling pedigree?

 

Ben Rothwell: Honestly, Chase wasn’t as highly regarded as a wrestler as Cain, but Chase is bigger, he cuts from 275[pounds]. So they kinda balance out, I feel like. For me, Cain has a “name” and is more recognized, while Chase still has to prove himself. So I was definitely more excited to fight Cain.

 

MW: With this fight being your introduction to the UFC, there have been rumors going around that the winner of this fight will have a nod to compete for the UFC heavyweight title. If not who would you like to fight?

 

BR: I'm not going to turn down any fight, I’ll fight anybody, but Cain has already got three wins, and if he could get by me then I can see him going on to fight for the belt. Me on the other hand, I win, perhaps, because I’m big they would want to see the big guys go at it, since it’s going to be Shane (Carwin) or Brock (Lesnar) that’s going to win it. I can see me having to fight one more time, like Nogueira or someone like that. I’ve always been a guy to prove what I can do and pay my dues. It doesn’t bother me one bit as long as I get to fight somebody tough.

 

 

MW: Both you and Roy Nelson competed in the IFL (International Fight League) as highly regarded heavyweights, what do you think his chances are in this seasons “TUF”?

 

BR: I have already said once before he should win it, he will have to win a few fights but he should be [the winner]. He's kinda like the ringer I feel personally, he's a very tough guy and he’s found a lot of tough guys including myself and I know what he can do, so I think he should win for sure.

 

 

MW: Do you think Roy should have had a direct bid to the UFC or should he have to earn his spot?

 

BR: I don’t know, he’s fought tough guys, he’s proved himself, and he could have come in to the UFC. Maybe it was something with the management; maybe they thought it would be a good opportunity to do the show. They think he could win, therefore he’s sitting really good to win. I think he could have come into the UFC regardless.

 

MW: Thank you for time, as I know you are currently pressed for it with all the fans waiting for you. Also, good luck on your up coming fight against Cain Velasquez at UFC 104.

 

BR: Thanks man, and yeah its all pretty cool, see you later.