UFC on FX 7: January 19, 2013 Ibirapuera Arena in São Paulo, Brazil UFC Heavyweight Contender Ben Rothwell (-115) Profile: At UFC 145, we saw a rejuvenated and fantastically in-shape Ben Rothwell (32-8) knocking out Brendan Schaub in awe-inspiring fashion. After a middlesome run – going 1-2 in the UFC up to that point – the frightening beast from the IFL was back. Beginning his MMA training under Pat Miletich when he was only 17 years old, Rothwell has emerged from the midwest MMA circuit, the IFL and Affliction as a heavyweight to watch in the UFC. Now 31, with losses to Mark Hunt and Cain Velasquez, Rothwell hasn’t shied away from tough competition, and losses to some of the best fighters in the world can make some men better. This looks to be the case for Rothwell, kicking him into a different gear. UFC Heavyweight Contender Gabriel Gonzaga (-115) Profile: Known outside of his UFC title run and elite grappling credentials most for his knockout of the decade over Mirko Cro Cop in 2007, Gabriel Gonzaga (13-6) has been an on-and-off force in the heavyweight division. After losing three out of four fights from 2009 through 2010 in the UFC, Gonzaga called it quits for a while, then reignited his fire to compete and was welcomed back into the organization in 2012. The 33-year-old Brazilian submitted Ednaldo Oliveira at UFC 142 via rear-naked choke in his return and seems like he’s more comfortable than ever in the cage during this second run. Opening UFC on FX 7 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made both Rothwell and Gonzaga -115 (bet $115 to win $100), opening as a Pick’em. This is an intriguing heavyweight matchup between two fighters who are both looking to state their case as Top 15 contenders within the division. The problem is, only the winner will remain in that discussion while the loser will be on the outside and face an even more difficult path to the top. Gonzaga showed flashes of his potential early in his UFC career, but he is now just another veteran hoping to stay under contract with a successful comeback. He obviously needs a win here to accomplish that goal while Rothwell is looking to string together consecutive wins for the first time in more than five years. That inconsistency is a problem for a heavyweight who one day hopes for a title shot, and the only way to solve it is to put together a solid winning streak.
