A terror-filled weekend was highlighted by the release of Focus Features’ Insidious: Chapter 3 and one of the greatest heel turns in UFC history.
I tossed and turned all night trying to rid my mind of a sweaty, unshaven Ben Rothwell standing in the Octagon next to UFC commentator Jon Anik, laughing maniacally after choking Matt Mitrione into submission.
The UFC Fight Night 68 post-fight interview was manufactured, over-the-top, embarrassing and gimmicky. Yet for some strange reason, it was also brilliant. As Mitrione angrily walked away from the cage picking body hair from his mouth, Rothwell was left alone with a microphone and an opportunity to steal the show.
I fully expected to see another goofy reimagining of the “Truffle Shuffle” or whatever dance move he pulled off after knocking out Alistair Overeem last September.
But enough was enough. Rothwell was through trying to please fans with hip-hop dance moves from the late ’80s. He was done with constantly being overlooked and passed over. Actions speak louder than words, but as fighters are beginning to learn in MMA, words create opportunities for action.
Rothwell said to Anik:
That’s actions that speak louder than words. The mixed martial artist you once knew is no more. I am something completely different. The only fight that matters to me now is the number one contender’s spot. I will have the UFC title.
Pause and insert some random hand gesture.
I know right now there is not a man on this planet that can stop me inside of this Octagon and only politics can slow me. I don’t know much else to say other than you have seen nothing yet.
End the quote with a laugh so tyrannical it gives Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin a run for its money. Perhaps that was a major overstatement, but you get the picture. Rothwell made himself relevant again by word of mouth and another dominant performance. Before Saturday night, Rothwell could have very well been released from the UFC and hardly a soul would have batted an eye.
For the first time in his UFC tenure, Rothwell is subject for conversation. He even asked for a rematch with former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski after his win over Mitrione. The last time the two heavyweights met was nearly seven years ago at Affliction: Banned, a short-lived MMA promotion spearheaded by the famous clothing line.
Arlovski won by knockout in the third round.
But after last night, their paths seem destined to cross again. So this is it, an official plea to the UFC: Give us Rothwell vs. Arlovski.
UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is already tangled up with interim champ Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188. Many, including Rothwell, believe Stipe Miocic is the next man with the golden ticket, unless Velasquez loses. In that scenario, the UFC might give him an immediate rematch.
If Arlovski doesn’t get the next title shot, it would be ludicrous and downright detrimental to his heavyweight run to put him on ice for an extended period of time. He needs to keep busy, and there are few opponents more complimentary to his style than Rothwell. Junior dos Santos is being pushed aside on purpose, considering the fact that he’s already fought Velasquez three times and lost twice.
The division is desperately in need of new contenders, or in this case, reemerging contenders who have been spit-shined and dusted for cobwebs. “You have seen nothing yet,” according to Rothwell.
Why not give the man a chance to let his actions speak?
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also is the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.
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