text: Rothwell was briefly linked to a bout with Ruslan Magomedov for on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177. However, on July 9, the UFC announced he would face Alistair Overeem on September 5, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 50. Rothwell won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Rothwell his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
  Rothwell faced Matt Mitrione on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. He won the fight via submission in the first round, the first submission win of his UFC career.
  Rothwell was expected to face Stipe Miocic on October 24, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 76. However, Miocic pulled out of the fight on October 13 citing injury. Subsequently, Rothwell was removed from the card the following day after the promotion deemed that a suitable opponent could not be arranged on short notice.
  Rothwell next faced Josh Barnett on January 30, 2016, at UFC on Fox 18. He won the fight in the second round due to a guillotine choke, making Rothwell the only fighter to ever stop Barnett with a submission hold during Barnett's lengthy MMA career. The win also earned Rothwell his second Performance of the Night bonus award.
  Rothwell faced Junior dos Santos on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
  Rothwell was expected to face Fabrício Werdum on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203. However, Rothwell pulled out of the fight on August 11 citing a knee injury and was replaced by Travis Browne.