A lot of people are talking about how good Stipe is but he is going to get smashed by Rothwell. Stipe got punked out and KO'd by Struve....Struve for cripes sake. Stipe is very overrated and hasn't fought anybody other than beating a over the hill,fading,retirement Mark Hunt. Hunt would have murked Stipe in his prime. Everybody blah,blah,blahs about Stipes fight with JDS and that is nothing either. The only top guy that JDS has fought is Cain and Cain mopped the floor with JDS repeatedly.
Definitely not sleeping on Rothwell here, but Stipe has all the tools to work him over pretty good in this fight. Plus, and not to discredit Stefan, but he finished Stipe after a mean eye poke.
Agreed that Rothwell can smash Stipe, but not on your points just buying his own hype that he's on another level right now, don't let me down Big Ben
This thread is full of "well he only beat so and so, who got smashed by so and so. Also, he lost to so and so, who couldn't even beat so and so!" You can play that game with literally any fighter ever, and it gets us nowhere in the way of intelligent discussion.
Stipe could pick apart Rothwell for a decision but I'd give Rothwell a small advantage just because he has that KO power.
I think Stipe beats him on the feet and takes Rothwell down whenever he pleases. MMA Math is not applicable anywhere.
I like Rothwell here. He is too tough and durable for Miocic to finish, and I think his striking has come a long way. His footwork has gone somewhat unappreciated recently IMO. I also can't really see Big Ben getting bullied around in the clinch, and his TDD has been on point. I see Rothwell putting Stipe away or winning a gritty decision.
Meh. Rothwell hasnt showed me anything that would make me believe he beats a well rounded 6'4 240lb boxer and wrestler like Stipe. Will most likely be a pretty boring fight.
I had Stipe slightly edging /drawing with JDS. Also he beat title contention Hunt, so I dunno what 'prime' Hunt has ever really been in before the last few years. MMA math sucks and Stipe is the rightful favourite heading into the Rothwell fight. Stipe by UD and it won't be close, maybe a little more competitive than Nelson...
I'm expecting another dance or cartoon villain speech or maybe some kind of surprise new post fight production Stipe can surely win, but he's hit or miss in his performances. Rothwell always brings it consistently for the last year or so. 55/45 imo in favor of dancing machine
