One titanous match-up has been added to the UFC’s first FOX card of the year in 2016. Josh “WarMaster” Barnett vs. “Big” Ben Rothwell has been added to UFC on Fox 18 in New Jersey as announced on Fox Sports Live on Fox Sports 1.
Barnett (34-7, 6-2 in UFC), the former UFC Heavyweight champion, is coming off an epic 5-round decision victory over TUF winner Roy Nelson. Barnett had returned from a two year absense from the sport following a first round knockout loss to Travis Browne.
Rothwell (35-9, 5-3 in UFC) has garnered much success as of late, earning his third straight finishing victory in a row over Matt Mitrione by submission. Prior to that that win, Rothwell had strung together back to back knockout wins over Brandon “The Truth” Vera and Alistair “The Reem” Overeem. Rothwell was recently slated to face Stipe Miocic at UFC Fight Night 76 in Ireland, however Miocic pulled out of the bout due to injury and a replacement could not be found in time.
UFC on Fox 18 takes place in Newark, New Jersey on Jan. 30th at the Prudential Center. With the addition of this bout, the card now looks as such:
-Anthony “Rumble” Johnson vs. Ryan “Darth” Bader
-Josh “Warmaster” Barnett vs. “Big” Ben Rothwell
-Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger vs. Tarec “Spong” Saffiedine
-Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Joaquim Silva
-George Sullivan vs. Alexander Yakovlev
-Tony Martin vs. Felipe Olivieri
-Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres vs. Masio Fullen