Ben Askren News
Ben Askren accuses Dana White of hypocrisy regarding Jon Jones’ delayed heavyweight return
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren is the latest top name to attempt to push Dana White to let go of the expected Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight. Jones, the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, is expected to return in November against former titleholder Stipe Miocic. He hasn’t fought since winning the then-vacant title at UFC 285, after suffering an injury that forced his withdrawal from a booking against Miocic at UFC 295.
Paige VanZant attempts to clarify the “not a fighter” comments she made about Ben Askren: “Sorry if I hurt his feelings”
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2024
Paige VanZant has attempted to clarify her recent remarks regarding former ONE and UFC fighter Ben Askren. One thing we know to be true about Paige VanZant is that she can make headlines. From her UFC career to BKFC and beyond, she has an ability to draw the attention of the masses.
Ben Askren: Conor McGregor 'jealous' of Khabib Nurmagomedov after latest scathing comments
Curtis Calhoun - May 21, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren unleashed on Conor McGregor after McGregor’s mockery of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legal troubles. McGregor is set to return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29. He’ll return after a three-year absence, months of speculation about his comeback, and his coaching appearance on The Ultimate Fighter.
Ben Askren reacts to Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira chatter: "You can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting here with the interim belt"
Fernando Quiles - May 12, 2024
Ben Askren isn’t a fan of the talk of Jon Jones fighting Alex Pereira before he mixes it up with Tom Aspinall. Jones is the UFC Heavyweight Champion, but he hasn’t made a title defense yet despite winning the gold back in March 2023. “Bones” was scheduled to put the championship on the line against Stipe Miocic back in November 2023, but an injury derailed that plan. Tom Aspinall ended up winning the interim heavyweight gold by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.
Chris Weidman compares Alex Pereira’s wrestling “deficiency” to Ben Askren’s striking
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Chris Weidman thinks there is a major hole in Alex Pereira’s game, and he’s comparing it to Ben Askren’s striking. Pereira is coming off the first defense of his light heavyweight title as he scored a first-round knockout win over Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300. Pereira hasn’t even been in the UFC for three full years and already has won titles in two different weight classes.
Ben Askren believes Jamahal Hill’s “ego” played a part in his knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300
Harry Kettle - April 18, 2024
Ben Askren believes that Jamahal Hill’s ego may have played a role in his knockout defeat to Alex Pereira. Last weekend, Jamahal Hill fell to a resounding defeat at the hands of Alex Pereira. In the first round of their UFC 300 main event, Pereira knocked Hill out in what was a nasty finish.
Ben Askren reflects on his one-off boxing match against Jake Paul: "He's actually kind of good, which is unfortunate"
Josh Evanoff - March 22, 2024
Nearly three years removed from his boxing match with Jake Paul, Ben Askren doesn’t have too many bad feelings. ‘Funky’ was one of the first fighters to step up, and call out ‘The Problem Child’. After Jake Paul knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr., Ben Askren aimed at the YouTuber. The former UFC welterweight had retired a year earlier and got a hip replacement in retirement.
Ben Askren weighs in on Dana White’s UFC 300 main event announcement: “You let us down a little bit”
Susan Cox - February 23, 2024
Ben Askren is weighing in on Dana White’s UFC 300 main event announcement. UFC 300 is now less than 2 months away, taking place on Saturday, April 13th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Ben Askren claims Robert Whittaker had a serious ankle injury going into Dricus Du Plessis fight
Cole Shelton - January 3, 2024
Ben Askren has an idea why Robert Whittaker struggled against Dricus Du Plessis in July. Whittaker and Du Plessis were fighting at UFC 290 in July in a potential number-one contender fight at middleweight. The Aussie entered the fight as the betting favorite, but it was Du Plessis who pulled off the upset as he scored a second-round TKO for the biggest win of his career.
Ben Askren didn't understand Colby Covington's "strategy" at UFC 296, reveals ideal next opponent for 'Chaos'
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2023
Ben Askren was confused with Colby Covington’s performance at UFC 296. Covington was fighting for the undisputed welterweight title for the third time, as he took on Leon Edwards in the main event. It likely was going to be his final title shot, and Covington did not fight how he normally does. Colby Covington didn’t chain wrestle or push a pace as he usually does. Instead, he fought off his back foot and didn’t throw many punches for the first round rounds, which confused Ben Askren.
Ben Askren scoffs at Jorge Masvidal’s offer to have a rematch under boxing rules: “He’s scared of being embarrassed”
Susan Cox - August 10, 2023
Former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren is scoffing at Jorge Masvidal’s offer to have a rematch under boxing rules. It was when speaking with ‘TMZ Sports‘ this past July that the 38-year-old Masvidal called out Askren saying:
Jorge Masvidal reacts after Ben Askren calls for rematch
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has reacted to Ben Askren calling for a rematch with him in the future. Four years ago, Jorge Masvidal became a superstar. While his wins over Darren Till and Nate Diaz were notable, it was his vicious knockout of Ben Askren that really put him on the map. Just five seconds into their highly anticipated grudge match, ‘Gamebred’ was able to knock Askren out cold with a nasty knee to the head.
Ben Askren scoffs at Conor McGregor’s claim that he plans on fighting 3 or 4 times in the next year: “That’s crazy talk”
Susan Cox - June 3, 2023
Ben Askren has scoffed at Conor McGregor’s claim that he plans on fighting 3 or 4 times in the next year. The Irishman, 34, has not fought in the Octagon since his TKO loss to Dustin Poirier (29-7 MMA) in July of 2021 at UFC 264.
Ben Askren offers a prediction for 'actually not bad' Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match
Josh Evanoff - June 2, 2023
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren didn’t actually expect Jake Paul to be good at boxing. ‘Funky’ has been retired since an April 2021 clash against ‘The Problem Child’. The boxing match was the first of Askren’s career, and will likely go down as the last. The former Bellator champion was predictably knocked out in the first round by Paul.
Ben Askren calls out Jon Jones after recent Francis Ngannou remarks
Lewis Simpson - May 18, 2023
Ben Askren has an issue with the UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones following his recent remarks directed at Francis Ngannou. Following the announcement that Ngannou would sign a record-breaking deal with the PFL, Jones quickly poked jabs at the former UFC heavyweight champion. Earlier this year, Ngannou revealed he wouldn’t re-sign with the UFC and would test the waters of free agency.
Jorge Masvidal details why he was "95 percent certain" that his flying knee would KO Ben Askren
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2023
Jorge Masvidal was confident he would be able to KO Ben Askren with a flying knee after he got face-to-face with him. Masvidal and Askren fought back in July of 2019 at UFC 239 at International Fight Week in a highly anticipated fight. The pair engaged in a ton of trash talk in the leadup to the contest, with Askren claiming he would easily be able to outwrestle Masvidal. Once the pair went face-to-face, ‘Gamebred’ was certain ‘Funky’ would try and shoot right away.
Ben Askren believes Jorge Masvidal was pressured into accepting fight with Gilbert Burns at UFC 287: “He doesn’t think he’s gonna win either”
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2023
Ben Askren has explained why he doesn’t believe Jorge Masvidal will defeat Gilbert Burns when they meet at UFC 287. It’s no secret that Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal don’t like each other. After all, ‘Gamebred’ was the one who knocked Askren out cold when they met back in 2019.
Ben Askren reflects on devasting defeats to Jorge Masvidal, Jake Paul, and end of MMA career: "I totally messed it up"
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2023
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren has reflected on the close of his combat sports career. ‘Funky’ initially retired from MMA back in 2017, following a title defense against Shinya Aoki. Askren defeated the jiu-jitsu ace by first-round stoppage and hung up the gloves for good. However, he noted that he would return to the sport if he could fight in the UFC.