Biography(references)Rothwell was an active child but suffered a bout with spinal meningitis when he was six years old. The young Rothwell, who struggled with his weight and identity in his adolescent years, was also troubled growing up and was often involved in fighting and violence at Westosha Central High School. By the time he was a junior in high school, Rothwell knew that he enjoyed fighting, and in 1999, at the age of 17, he began learning self-defense. In July of that same year, after he had been in three professional fights, he and a friend were involved in a car accident with a drunk driver. The event changed Rothwell's life, causing him to feel as though he has a purpose to complete.
Fighter Trivia(references)Aside from working in his parents' restaurant, he worked in a body shop and as a labor union construction worker in Chicago, Illinois. Rothwell MMA, established in 2011, teaches MMA, kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, self-defense, yoga, and fitness to children and adults of all ages and experience levels. They often compete as a team at Wisconsin Xtreme Cage Fighting events at Racine Memorial Hall.
Awards & Accolades
UFC: Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Brendan Schaub
UFC: Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Alistair Overeem, Josh Barnett
United States Mixed Martial Arts: USMMA Heavyweight Championship (One time; first)
MMADNA.nl: 2016 Submission of the Year vs. Josh Barnett
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