Report: Ben Rothwell Takes on Philipe Lins at UFC Fight Night 187 on March 13

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Two heavy-hitting heavyweights will join an impressive upcoming UFC Fight Night card in March.

First reported by Combate on Friday, Ben Rothwell (38-13) will come to blows with Philipe Lins (14-5) at UFC Fight Night 187. The two heavyweights will meet inside the Octagon on March 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Rothwell hinted at his upcoming matchup announcement on Wednesday, but he did not go so far as to confirm his opponent or its date.

Wisconsin native Rothwell has fallen on hard times the last few years, with only two wins amidst four decision defeats along with a lengthy suspension from a failed drug test. In his last time out in October, Rothwell dropped a decision to Marcin Tybura to snap a two-fight win streak. Those victories included a foul-marred knockout of Stefan Struve, along with a close split decision over ex-light heavyweight Ovince St. Preux. With the decision win, Rothwell reduced his career stoppage rate to 89 percent.

Since departing from the Professional Fighters League after winning the 2018 season and the $1 million prize, things have not gone well for the former 205-pounder. Two bouts in 2020 were both unsuccessful, as Andrei Arlovski held him off to win a decision, and Tanner Boser knocked him out just over a month later. “Monstro” will be looking for his first UFC win against the much larger Rothwell, with the latter regularly hitting the scales at 265 pounds compared to Lins at right around the 235-pound mark.

UFC Fight Night 187 will be held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on March 13, with a headliner of Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev at welterweight. As it stands, the co-main event assignment goes to Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Ciryl Gane at heavyweight.