By By Matthew Nascone
Kerry "Big Dream" Rothchild took one step closer to becoming the light heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Dec. 16 when he defeated Brian Hanka by way of a TKO at Rampage in the Cage IV in Lafayette, La.
"I received fight and training offers from a lot of people after the fight," Rothchild, an Atmore native, said. "And now I will be shooting for that title shot."
Rothchild is currently ranked No. 18 in the International Sport Combat Federation Light Heavyweight division.
The fight was called before the bell for the third and final round, giving Rothchild the TKO and his second victory in as many fights. He thought one moment decided the fight.
"I caught him with a right hook right after I ducked under his right hook," Rothchild said. "That was the key to the fight."
And the crowd erupted after the fight was over, Rothchild said. But he was just happy to walk away with a win and he knew he did not do it alone.
"I won that fight by the grace of God," he said. "That was the hardest fight I have ever been in. Even when I was on top and hitting him, he was on the bottom hitting me hard back."
And now that he has two wins under his belt, Rothchild is looking forward.
"I want to get my title shot and then move on up to the big time," he said. "If I can grab the Amateur U.S. Light Heavyweight Champion belt, I will be set to go on to UFC. And I would not want to try and defend it, I would go right to the pros."
Rothchild said he is still looking for a sponsor and he can be reached online at myspace.com/djbigdream.
Traveling with Rothchild were seven members of "Team Big Dream." The title shot is scheduled to be sometime in March of next year and Rothchild can't wait to fight the best fighter in his division.
"If I want to be the best, I will have to defeat the best," he said.