Who ya got?!? Fellow fighters predict Ben Rothwell vs. Junior Dos Santos

from MMA Junkie on Apr 08, 2016
19 views
Comment

ZAGREB, Croatia – Who wins UFC Fight Night 86’s heavyweight headliner between former champion Junior dos Santos and rising contender Ben Rothwell?

That’s the question we asked their fellow fighters, and “Big Ben” is getting plenty of love.

Ahead of Sunday’s bout, which airs on FOX Sports 1 from Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia, we asked some recent and upcoming UFC competitors to give us their picks for the marquee fight.

Rothwell (36-9 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has surged up to No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweights rankings thanks to his current four-fight winning streak. Dos Santos (17-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC), who’s No. 8, is in a 2-3 skid and looks to avoid the first back-to-back losses of his career.

Is Rothwell ready for a challenge against a former champion, or is this the fight where Dos Santos gets back on track?

Check out the discussion above.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 85, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Jan 30, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Josh Barnett (black trunks) fights Ben Rothwell (white trunks) during UFC on Fox 18 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ben Rothwell (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Matt Mitrione (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ben Rothwell (red gloves) fights Matt Mitrione (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Ben Rothwell (left) fights Brandon Vera during the UFC-164 bout at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Ben Rothwell (right) fights Brandon Vera during the UFC-164 bout at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Ben Rothwell gets ready to fight during the UFC-164 bout at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 21, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ben Rothwell reacts to beating Brendan Schaub in a heavyweight bout during UFC 145 at Philips Arena. Rothwell won the bout by technical knockout in the first round. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 21, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Brendan Schaub (right) fights Ben Rothwell fights in a heavyweight bout during UFC 145 at Philips Arena. Rothwell won the bout by technical knockout in the first round. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 21, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Brendan Schaub (left) fights Ben Rothwell fights in a heavyweight bout during UFC 145 at Philips Arena. Rothwell won the bout by technical knockout in the first round. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports