Ben Rothwell On Dana White: I Don’t Even Think He Watches UFC
UFC Fight Night 68 went down this past Saturday (June 6, 2015) and it was a great night of exciting fights and many finishes. Heavyweight contender “Big” Ben Rothwell had a strong showing in the co-main event, extending his winning streak to three as he was able to score a first-round submission win over the formerly surging Matt Mitrione.
Since the win, Rothwell has been quite vocal, calling out heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, and the heavyweight division as a whole. It now looks as if the UFC brass is his next target, as Rothwell appeared on this week’s edition of the MMA Hour to discuss his unhappiness with the lack of UFC executives at the fights this past weekend:
“I felt gypped,” Rothwell said. “”Dana White wasn’t there, Joe Silva wasn’t there, I felt gypped. Joe Rogan wasn’t there. These fights were a big deal, and the three stars of the UFC weren’t even there. I kind of felt gypped.”
“Big” Ben continued on, noting that he wants to talk to White, and even saying that he doesn’t even know if the president watches the UFC:
“I just wanna talk to him,” Rothwell said. “I talked to Joe Silva, and Joe Silva said it’s even hard for him to talk to Dana White. Dana White is a bigger star than all of us, I don’t think he has time for us. I don’t think he even watches UFC. It’s funny.”
As for what Rothwell would like to speak with White about, it may be about what’s next for the heavyweight slugger has he has put together a solid streak of wins and has been campaigning for a bout against the rejuvenated Andrei Arlovski. However, Rothwell also stated that he would simply like to be at the UFC Fan Expo, to meet the fans and sign autographs because he doesn’t even know some of the people who are attending the event:
“I want to talk to Dana White because I want to be at the UFC Fan Expo. I’m looking at the list and seeing these people and I don’t even know who they are. You’ve got the champions coming, you’ve got the veterans, Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell, awesome. Then there’s a group of people who are signing and I don’t even know who they are. Really? I want to be there for the fans. They’re trying to get autographs.”
In closing, “Big” Ben said that he doesn’t really think the UFC cares all that much about him:
“Social media’s awesome,” Rothwell continued. “But being able to shake hands and sign autographs feels a lot more to me. I’d like to get some of those opportunities. UFC Fan Expo is a great place to be, but UFC kind of doesn’t give a s— about me.”
Will his latest comments get the attention of his employers?
