Andrei Arlovski delivered a devastating win over Ben Rothwell, prompting medical officials to step in and declare him a world champion in two different combat sports.
More than two decades after securing his first UFC heavyweight title and nearly 18 years following their initial encounter at Affliction, Arlovski demonstrated that age is just a number by capturing the BKFC championship at Knucklemania in Philadelphia. This fierce rivalry between the two heavyweight veterans has now spanned three organizations and two combat disciplines.
Rothwell has recently experienced a career revival as a prominent figure in bare-knuckle boxing, a sport gaining momentum especially after Conor McGregor became a partial owner of BKFC. At the same time, Arlovski continues to make waves, scoring knockouts in both Dirty Boxing and Misfits Boxing events.
In the main event of BKFC’s 6th annual Knucklemania, the long-standing feud between Rothwell and Arlovski—dating back to their 2008 Affliction bout—reached a dramatic conclusion. As in their earlier fights, Arlovski took early control, capitalizing on an injury to Rothwell, whose head was bleeding heavily. The third round lasted only seconds before doctors stopped the fight, with Rothwell visibly drenched in blood.
Following his victory, Arlovski shared an inspiring message for cancer fighters worldwide, revealing that he has personally beaten cancer three times. “To everyone battling cancer right now, never give up,” he urged. “I’m living proof. I’ve beat cancer three times. Keep fighting. Life is beautiful.”
Fan Take: This epic showdown between two seasoned warriors not only highlights the growing legitimacy of bare-knuckle boxing but also reminds fight fans that resilience and determination transcend the cage or ring. Arlovski’s inspiring journey adds a deeper layer to the sport, showing that champions can rise both inside the ring and in life’s hardest battles.
