Ben Rothwell could become a BKFC “champ champ” when the promotion makes its debut in Australia.
The BKFC announced Tuesday that its debut card in Australia on July 18 is set to be headlined by Rothwell fighting Alex Simon for the inaugural BKFC super heavyweight title. Rothwell (37-14 in MMA) claimed a heavyweight title with a 36-second knockout of Mick Terrill this past January.
Check out the announcement and a reaction from BKFC part owner Conor McGregor below.
INAUGURAL SUPERHEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ON THE LINE!
BIG Ben Rothwell aims for double gold honours!
HW AND SHW WORLD CHAMP https://t.co/6Jev9oiCvF
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 3, 2025
Simon makes his bare-knuckle debut with a chance to win gold in his home country. A longtime powerlifting standout, Simon has competed sporadically in combat sports since 2018. He is 1-1 as an MMA fighter and most recently stepped into the boxing ring in August 2023 when he lost by fifth-round TKO (retirement) to Bryce Jones.
In the co-main event, Australia’s own Bec Rawlings fights Jade Masson-Wong in a flyweight bout. Rawlings, a veteran MMA fighter, snapped a three-fight skid in the BKFC ring this past January when she won a unanimous decision over Taylor Starling. Masson-Wong is 3-2 in BKFC and is coming off of a split decision loss to Christine Ferea.
BKFC 79 takes place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on July 18.
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