Ben Askren News
Ben Askren believes beating Jorge Masvidal will be 'pretty easy'
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2019
This Saturday, on the main card of UFC 239, Ben Askren will collide with Jorge Masvidal in a pivotal welterweight contender bout. Askren originally expected to fight Darren Till in his next bout, but then Masvidal knocked Till out, jumping the line in the process. “Going in to the fight with Masvidal, I thought [Darren] Till was going to win,” Ben Askren said when speaking to MMA Fighting. “Masvidal was already making excuses so I didn’t really think it was a good possibility of me fighting Masvidal but then when he won, they started looking around at opponents for me and “Wonderboy” [Stephen Thompson] lost [to Anthony Pettis] and Masvidal was the one that made the most sense.
Paulie Malignaggi fires back at Askren, Sonnen after criticisms
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2019
Shortly after former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi came up short to UFC veteran Artem Lobov in a bare knuckle bout at BKFC 6, he was criticized by MMA stars Ben Askren and Chael Sonnen. Both men made comments suggesting that perhaps boxers aren’t quite as skilled as we previously believed. Malignaggi has now responded to these criticisms with a challenge to both Askren and Sonnen. He encouraged the pair of MMA fighters to to give boxing a try if they think it’s so easy. He also added that they’re probably make more money doing so than they do in MMA.
Ben Askren shares short story that showcases just how far Daniel Cormier has come with 'Detail'
Christopher Taylor - June 30, 2019
On Saturday afternoon, current UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier (22-1 MMA) teased that he would be making a major announcement. About three hours later ‘DC’ followed through on his promise by breaking the following news.
Kamaru Usman says Colby Covington 'messed up' title shot, Ben Askren is now next
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019
When Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the welterweight champion, all signs pointed to his first title defense being against Colby Covington. Well, that likely won’t happen now. On Monday it was announced that the former interim champion would take on Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark. Much to the despair of Usman.
Ben Askren responds to ‘sick and disturbing’ comments from Jorge Masvidal
Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2019
Ben Askren discusses why he believes Jorge Masvidal was not at two UFC 239 press events and addresses some ‘sick and disturbing’ comments ‘Gamebred’ made about his family bloodline. Askren had no problem firing back at Masvidal, who he will be fighting at UFC 239, especially for the recent comments he made regarding his family.
Ben Askren calls Justin Bieber a wimp
Adam Martin - June 25, 2019
Count Ben Askren among the parties interested in a potential celebrity showdown between Justin Bieber and Tom Cruise. Speaking to TMZ, Askren agreed Bieber vs. Cruise would be a big fight for the UFC. And if the fight does come to fruition, Askren has already made his pick.
Ben Askren calls out Georges St-Pierre
Adam Martin - June 25, 2019
Leave it to Ben Askren to go big-game hunting. At the UFC 239 pre-fight press conference, Askren was asked who his ideal next three opponents were. The first name he listed was Jorge Masvidal, who he fights at UFC 239 on July 6 in Las Vegas. The second name was Kamaru Usman, the UFC welterweight champion. And the third name was the Canadian legend himself, Georges St-Pierre.
Ben Askren roasts Colby Covington for not getting desired title shot
Natasha Hooper - June 25, 2019
Ben Askren doesn’t shy away from a twitter roast. Today is no exception as he mocks Colby Covington for not getting a title shot. Askren, the former Olympic wrestler and Bellator champion prepares for his second UFC appearance against Jorge Masvidal. The winner of the fight will likely get a title shot against current champion, Kamaru Usman.
Ben Askren responds to warning from Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Speaking on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio, Jorge Masvidal warned that if his UFC 239 opponent Ben Askren gets too close ahead of their July 6 fight, he could wind up getting the same treatment as Leon Edwards — a three-piece and a soda. In layman’s terms, a few punches outside the cage.
Jorge Masvidal: Ben Askren could get Leon Edwards treatment if he oversteps
Mike Pendleton - June 19, 2019
In a fight that likely has some title implications in the welterweight division, Jorge Masvidal has a personal goal for his UFC 239 opponent, Ben Askren. Since his arrival into the UFC, “Funky” Ben Askren has gotten under the skin of a lot of fighters, especially in the welterweight division, but Masvidal isn’t here for any jokes or games. Askren is coming off a controversial win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235, the first fight of his UFC career, after a long beef with Dana White kept him away from the promotion. During a recent interview with BJPenn.com Radio, Masvidal discussed his fight with Askren and said he’d like to break the wrestling specialist’s face “on a personal note.”
Ben Askren believes he could steal Colby Covington's title shot at UFC 239
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren is scheduled for his second UFC appearance at UFC 239 on July 6, where he’ll battle fellow contender Jorge Masvidal. It’s conceivable that the winner of this clash will get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman — though that would mean Colby Covington would have to be skipped over once again. Speaking to MMA Fighting recently, Ben Askren explained that he believes a win over Jorge Masvidal could very easily put him ahead of Covington in the welterweight contendership race.
Dillon Danis swipes MacDonald and Caldwell's belts for photo, gets roasted by Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2019
On Wednesday, the stars of Bellator 222 took center stage in New York City for a pre-fight media day. Among those appearing were welterweight champion Rory MacDonald, bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell, and main card fighter Dillon Danis. At one point during the days festivities, Dillon Danis swiped MacDonald and Caldwell’s Bellator titles and posed for a photo with both straps slung over his shoulders.
Kevin Lee lists five opponents he wants to fight before career is over
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2019
Kevin Lee is moving up to welterweight to take on the former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Rochester this Saturday. Although “The Motown Phenom” is moving up in weight he is not done for good in the lightweight division. Instead, he has hopes of fighting a few lightweights in particular before his career is over.
Jordan Burroughs sends message of respect to Ben Askren following their match
Drake Riggs - May 9, 2019
This past Monday night in New York City, a very special event was held in the world of wrestling. It was Beat the Streets 2019 and in the main event, we saw two of the sports’ all-time greatest competitors square off for the very first time. On one side, it was the ‘Funky’ undefeated former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion, Ben Askren who has firmly established himself as one of the greatest wrestlers in MMA history.
UFC 239 | Ben Askren believes Jorge Masvidal dislikes him because of fight purse disparity
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2019
Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal will finally settle their feud at UFC 239, during International Fight Week. The two have gone back-and-forth on social media, trash-talking each other . It first started when Askren went to London to pick a fight against the winner of Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal. Now that the two are set to fight, the rivalry has only gotten more heated. Masvidal went on the Joe Rogan Experience and explained what he plans to do to Askren.
Ben Askren received some advice from Bjorn Rebney after UFC debut
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2019
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from former Bellator boss Bjorn Rebney. He’s been quiet ever since it was announced he’d be working with the seemingly defunct Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) in 2016. Apparently, however, the former Bellator chief has been in contact with former Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren, who is now making waves in the UFC welterweight division. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Askren divulged that he received a message from Rebney shortly after he submitted Robbie Lawler in his first UFC bout.
Beat the Streets results: Jordan Burroughs shuts out Ben Askren (Highlights)
Drake Riggs - May 6, 2019
Ahead of his big potential No. 1 welterweight contender match-up with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in July, Ben Askren challenged himself by getting back on the mats against one of the best wrestlers of this or any era, Jordan Burroughs. The two would meet inside Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City for the Beat the Streets 2019 charity event. As one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of MMA, the undefeated “Funky” Askren vs someone of Burroughs’ caliber was the definition of a dream wrestling match as the 30-year old has won a gold medal in essentially every competition that he’s been a part of. But the University of Missouri alumni in Askren doesn’t have the worst wrestling credentials either (obviously).
Ben Askren explains what he'd do differently if he was an MMA promoter
Tom Taylor - April 30, 2019
As the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight king, and one of the top contenders in the UFC welterweight division, Ben Askren has already accomplished some incredible things as a fighter. But what could he accomplish if he worked on the other side of the hurt business, as a promoter? He gave us a sense of how he’d handle that role on a recent episode of MMA Junkie Radio. Unsurprisingly, he says he’d work hard to treat the fighters better.