Barnett vs. Rothwell

This is the official discussion thread for Barnett vs. Rothwell. Let's see what you've got.

Great fight, but I think Rothwell has more left in the tank.

Big Ben gonna dance. Oh yes he will.

I just don't see Rothwell winning this fight anywhere.  Not sure how anyone can think Barnett has dropped off.  He just submitted Dean Lister within the last year and Beat Big Country.

fully expect him to submit Rothwell too setting up Big Ben v Big Country

I didn't think Browne would beat Barnett, either.

I personally use to think this was likely the worst match up in the division for rothwell.  Rothwell has shown to be susceptible to highly skilled, large grapplers.  He was controlled and submitted on the ground by Gonzaga.  Now Ben has certainly gotten much better at grappling since then, so that likely be a lot harder to do to him. However in terms of skill sets, Barnett has the skills and size to be problematic to Rothwell. However can he get him down repeatedly is the question in my opinion and once there will he be able to control Rothwell like Gonzaga was able to. I honestly think this is the one match up where Barnett would have benefited from not cutting off so much weight. Most fights in the division it benefits him, however against Big Ben, I think that going to make it alot harder to hold Ben down or even get him down.  Ben has shown to be pretty hard to hold down even for elite heavy weights, unless they where the same strength as him. Cain had issues with this, so Barnett now weighing 20 pounds lighters could prove to make a matchup with Rothwell more difficult for him to control.  I think due to Rothwell improvements in both BJJ and TDD, as well as with Barnett slimming down, will cause this matchup to remain standing, unless it reaches later rounds.  Standing , though Barnett technically more sound in most regards, Ben is simply much more dangerous.  Standing with Ben is a dangerous idea for almost anyone in the division, due to a mixture of crazy knock out power, iron chin and he fairly versatile striker. He also can  keep it going at a fair clip compared to most heavy weights and he keeps his power.  Standing at range with him is not great when you don't have the movement to evade his shots, as Overreem found out. Barnett not very fast and doubt fighting at range would be beneficial.  Now Barnett is nasty in the clinch. He more skilled then Ben for sure in this regard, however  Ben is very dangerous from inside because he still able to generate a lot of power with upper cuts and short hooks that are capable of knocking people out.  He also going to have a large weight advantage and likely strength advantage against Barnett which could make the clinch a dangerous place to be, if Barnett can't get the takedown.

Barnett is past his prime but I still think he could sub Rothwell.

Rothwell has a really weird unorthodox fighting style in the stand up where he can get the KO quick, but Barnett could play it safe and back him into a corner or take it to the ground and work a submission.

Hard one to pick, not betting on it!

Big Ben by failed sub.

Cage wrestling match

Two guys who are getting up there in age.

If Barnett can get through the first round without getting knocked out, he should be able to out work Rothwell for a decision.

I hope Barnett pulls this off. I would love to see him versus Werdum.

* Edited at 01.26.2016, 7:47 AM ET *

i feel like josh has one foot out the door and i didn't see much in the nelson fight that would indicate he was a title contender. never know with his ground game though.