Rothwell (left) and Barnett (right) duel at the end of January. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS Production (Josh Hedges/UFC)
After spending almost two years without fighting, between December 2013 and September 2015, former heavyweight champion Josh Barnett decided to take a slightly shorter break this time and will be back in the octagon next January. Barnett will face Ben Rotwhell at UFC on FOX 18, scheduled for January 30, in Newark (USA).
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The announcement was made by Rothwell himself, who was scheduled to face Stipe Miocic in Dublin and ended up being cut from the event after his opponent was injured. “Honestly, Barnett may be ranked lower than Stipe Miocic, but I think this is a bigger fight. Barnett has remained in the sport's top 10 longer than any heavyweight champion to date. He's a veteran and if any of us can beat him, that's quite a feat,” said Ben, in an interview with the North American channel “FOX Sports 1”.
At 38 years old, Josh Barnett has a professional record of 34 wins and seven losses. The former heavyweight champion is coming off a victory over Roy Nelson at UFC Japan, in September this year. Ben Rothwell, 34 years old, has a record of 35 wins and nine losses. “Big Ben”, as he is known, comes from three consecutive victories, the most recent of which was over Matt Mitrione in June of this year.
UFC on FOX 18 takes place on January 30th, at the Prudential Center, in Newark (USA). In the main fight of the night, the former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson face the TUF 8 champion Ryan bader, in a duel that could be a qualifier for the next title fight in the under 93 kg category.
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