Heavyweight MMA legends Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell will collide for a third time, but there’s a twist. The pair of veteran knockout artists will compete this time under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) banner as the headlining bout for the BKFC: Knucklemania VI event, which is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2026 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rothwell will be attempting to defend his BKFC Heavyweight crown for the first time, as well as maintaining his undefeated (4-0) record in bare knuckle
boxing. Arlovski, meanwhile, is 1-0 in BKFC, having knocked out Josh Copeland back in June at BKFC 76. He has the advantage of plenty of history with the champion, however, as well as being one of the bigger Heavyweight names on the roster.
Rothwell and Arlovski first fought in July 2008 under the Affliction banner with Arlovski stopping the durable “Big Ben” in the third round. Over a decade later in 2019, they rematched inside the Octagon, and Arlovski was again victorious via a unanimous decision. Perhaps the change in rule set and another seven years is precisely the recipe for a Rothwell revenge story?
Time will tell.
Also on the BKFC: Knucklemania VI card is the return of Yoel Romero! At 48 years of age, Romero has put together a 3-0 record in bare knuckle competition if both his BKFC and Dirty Boxing victories are considered. He’ll be facing active Light Heavyweight champion Lorenzo Hunt in a catchweight bout at 210 pounds. Though the title isn’t on the line, it’s the stiffest test yet of Romero’s burgeoning bare knuckle career.
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