'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4. Ben Rothwell vs. Stefan Struve (Heavyweight)
Stefan Struve's retirement didn't last long as The Skyscraper returned to fight for the first time since his win against Marcos Rogerio de Lima in February.
Trending
Ben Rothwell was fighting for the third time in 2019 and was coming off three consecutive losses.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Round 1: The two veterans touched gloves and the fight got underway. Struve landed big leg kicks early in the fight. Rothwell tried to cut the distance with the intention to land the killer blow. Struve kept his distance by attacking Rothwelll's calf and the legs.
Rothwell closed the distance but Struve clinched to avoid taking any damage. Rothwell landed knees as Struve kept him in the clinch with his back against the cage with the over-hook.
Rothwell attempted to change levels and take Struve down. The Skyscraper, however, was just too big as he used his hands to stay on his feet.
Ben landed a kick to the groin and it looked nasty. So nasty that Struve was rolling on the mat in pain. You don't see that too often.
The doctor stepped in and asked Struve to get back up to his feet as that could expedite the pain. The crowd booed as Struve was still down. The Dutch fighter had five minutes to recuperate but he seemed to be in a lot of pain. The crowd popped as he got back to his feet. He briefly went down to one knee again and they booed. He got back up again and they cheered! The fans were having fun!
Struve took the full five minutes, the fans enjoyed the break in their own hysterical way and the action finally resumed.
A few kicks from Struve and another clinch ensued near the fence. Struve attempted a massive head kick on the break but thankfully for Ben, he moved his head out of the way at the right time.
Struve backed up but got clipped by a big right as Rothwell tried to make inroads. The round ended with another clinch.
Round 2: Struve landed a few good jabs and the right leg kick. Rothwell closed the gap again but Struve got him in a body lock.
Rothwell too got hit in the groin but he continued without taking a break. The fans predictably popped for that.
Rothwell got tagged with a few right and uppercuts as he tried to get into the pocket, which looked like a risky thing to do. Struve landed a solid leg kick followed by a knee. Ben was eating some nasty kicks but that wouldn't be enough to take the big man down.
Both men clinched again with Rothwell pressing Struve against the cage. Ben landed a right and an uppercut on the break.
And it happened again!
Rothwell misplaced a body kick and it landed on Struve's groin again. Dan Miragliotta's reaction said it all! The Skyscraper was rolling on the mat. The DC fans had their moment again.
A point was taken away from Rothwell and the fight continued. Rothwell came in like a man possessed and hurt Struve with an uppercut.
Struve survived and clinched for a few seconds but Ben knew what he had to to do.
The Dutch giant hurt himself as his leg kick hit the shin bone of Rothwell. Rothwell wanted to end it and he rocked Struve with a few uppercuts. Struve's knees gave up and Rothwell applied the finishing touches to get the TKO win.
Result: Ben Rothwell def. Stefan Struve via TKO (4:57, Round Two)
You've got to feel for Stefan Struve. He took two hard groin shots and ended up losing the fight.
Ben Rothwell mentioned in the post-fight interview that he didn't like what happened to Struve. However, a win is a win and Big Ben would take it any day of the week.
