Barnett breaks down Rothwell: 'This is a guy who did lose to Mark Hunt – on the ground'

Josh Barnett gives kudos to Ben Rothwell for winning three straight fights in the UFC’s octagon. The way he sees it, up was the only direction his fellow heavyweight could go.

“The most important part when you look at Rothwell’s legacy is what he’s been doing over these last four fights,” Barnett told MMAjunkie during a media luncheon in support of Saturday’s UFC on FOX 18 event, which takes place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. “I mean, this is is a guy who did lose to Mark Hunt – on the ground.”

The heavyweight Barnett (34-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) vs. Rothwell (35-9 MMA, 5-3 UFC) bout co-headlines the FOX-televised main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

You can always count on Barnett to mix a little sour with the sweet on opponents. Sure, he’s a little more forgiving than in 2011, when he hadn’t had any high-profile flubs in the cage. At 38, he’s encountered a few roadblocks in his push toward a career-capping title in a major promotion, one being now-champ Daniel Cormier and the other UFC standout Travis Browne. But he thinks that while Rothwell’s recent accomplishments are notable, his worst hits make him look very beatable.

“I think I can bring it out of him – without alcohol and drugs,” Barnett said.

Barnett hopes to build on a recent decision win over Roy Nelson while Rothwell looks to make it four in a row following a first-round submission victory over Matt Mitrione in June and a canceled bout against Stipe Miocic.

Browne’s (18-3-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) manager recently called to fight Rothwell if he wins. By any means necessary, Barnett will try to make sure that doesn’t happen.

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