The story of Junior dos Santos versus Ben Rothwell was two different fighters going in two different directions. Entering the UFC Fight Night Zagreb, the dark lord Rothwell was on a four fight unbeaten tear through the fabric of the heavyweight division. For the former heavyweight champion dos Santos, the 32 year old looked to prove that his body still had something left to give to the sport of mixed martial arts.
Round one of the heavyweight clash gave all the answers needed on the fates of Rothwell as well as dos Santos.The first five minutes saw Rothwell stalk dos Santos into the cage, while the Brazilin picked his shots and scored multiple body shots. In round two the pace slowed until the final 15 seconds when JDS clipped Rothwell with a right hand that stunned Big Ben and followed it up with a brutal front kick to the stomach. The right hand-tummy kick combo was enough to floor Rothwell on his ass before the bell ended the round.
Intense first round! Both guys landed heavy shots. Who took round 1 to you? #UFCZagreb https://t.co/WwfbSEkigY
— #UFCZagreb (@ufc) April 10, 2016
WOW! Big Ben eats a MONSTER overhand and gets push-kicked to the ground! What a chin on Rothwell! #UFCZagreb https://t.co/HSsV0VeJ1c
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) April 10, 2016
The third frame dos Santos continued to treat Rothwell like a sparring partner who showed up 15 minutes late to practice. JDS kept one punch ahead of Rothwell throughout the round and even connected with a pair of spinning back kicks to the tender midsection of Big Ben. Round four saw the physical damage taken by Rothwell slow the big man down even more. Dos Santos stayed patient with his boxing and Rothwell ate more than he could give back. Heading into the final round JDS was up on everyone’s scorecard.
With nothing to lose in round five Rothwell could still do nothing to hurt JDS, while dos Santos pounded his facial features over and over again with the jab. JDS would score a decision win after five impressive rounds of striking from the former UFC champ.
They go the distance, but the methodical striking from @junior_cigano earns him the UD win! #UFCZagreb #ArmbarNation pic.twitter.com/hobLHCuufV
— Team Rousey (@ArmbarNation) April 10, 2016
Your winner @Junior_Cigano!! What's next now for JDS after #UFCZagreb? https://t.co/CRNcn5I84a
— #UFCZagreb (@ufc) April 10, 2016