Ben Rothwell calls for rematch with Andrei Arlovski for next fight

NEW ORLEANS – On the heels of his third straight win, UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell called for a rematch with an old foe.

Rothwell (35-9 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who submitted Matt Mitrione (9-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in UFC Fight Night 68’s co-headliner, told MMAjunkie he wants a second meeting with Andrei Arlovski in his next octagon appearance.

“I know the championship is next weekend,” said Rothwell, referring to June 13’s UFC 188, which features a heavyweight title unification bout between undisputed champ Cain Velasquez and interim champ Fabricio Werdum. “I think Stipe (Miocic) has built up a good case; I think he should have the next challenge, and I think Andrei Arlovski and I should dance.

“(Arlovski is) ranked fourth, and some people are already talking about him getting the next title shot, so I think him and I should fight next. I know he’s got a little bit of an injury, so he’s going to take some time off. I’ll be ready for him when he heals.”

Rothwell and Arlovski met seven years ago under the now-defunct Affliction banner. At the time, Arlovski was considered one of the best heavyweights in the world, while Rothwell was the No. 2 big man in the now-defunct IFL.

Arlovski battered Rothwell on the feet and finished him via third-round TKO, setting up an famous title bout with Fedor Emelianenko. After winning the first round against the former PRIDE champion, Arlovski was knocked out by a punch after he attempted a flying knee.

Rothwell, meanwhile, went on to fight future champ Cain Velasquez in his first UFC bout, losing via second-round TKO.

Rothwell’s subsequent UFC career was uneven, but in recent fights, he’s shown an intensity in the cage that’s paid off with a trio of wins, including Mitrione, whom he tapped in less than two minutes with a front choke.

Rothwell isn’t the only one waging a comeback. Arlovski has won three straight, including a recent “Fight of the Night” slugfest with Travis Browne, since returning to the UFC this past year.

Arlovski is now recovering from a torn calf muscle that nearly forced him to withdraw from the fight at this past month’s UFC 187.

Like Arlovski, Rothwell has been cast as an underdog. Mitrione was favored to win their co-headliner. But Rothwell said he took inspiration from being counted out, in particular by the MMA media.

“I think a lot of it comes from the writers in MMA,” he said. “Constantly, I just feel like I’m overlooked and I’m not getting any respect. Again, I was an underdog tonight. On the writer’s column, everybody picked Mitrione. I’m kind of getting used it. I like it.

“Keep making me the underdog. I like putting loss on your guys’ picks there.”

Indeed, all but two MMAjunkie.com staffers picked Mitrione to win. Earlier this year, writers explained why Rothwell was not included in the website’s top-15 despite a knockout win over former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem in his previous performance.

Rothwell doesn’t expect anything to be different for his next fight (although he might soon find himself in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings). But that’s no bother, he said, because “as you can see, it doesn’t make a difference.”

Asked about his performance following his submission of Mitrione, Rothwell adopted a pro wrestling-esque persona and said his rise wouldn’t be hindered by politics before he let out a maniacal laugh worthy of a movie villain. But as he explained at the UFC Fight Night 68 post-fight press conference, that wasn’t exactly what he meant to convey.

“My performances have slowed me down in the past,” he said. “Now, I think I’ve made a case for myself. Three fight win streak, three finishes, and I think it’s time we make something happen. Let me fight these top guys.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 68, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan contributed to this report on site in New Orleans.)