Ben Askren News
Ben Askren believes "journeyman bum" Jorge Masvidal should appreciate him for stardom: "He needs to send me a Christmas card"
Josh Evanoff - October 19, 2022
Years after their fight, Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal still appear to not be on good terms. At UFC 239 in July 2019, ‘Funky’ and ‘Gamebred’ met in a key welterweight clash. At the time, Askren was 1-0 in the UFC and was undefeated in his career. It was just months after his trade to the promotion, and he was looking to make a splash against the resurging Masvidal.
Chael Sonnen explains why the UFC should have no regrets over trading Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren
Susan Cox - September 2, 2022
Chael Sonnen is explaining why the UFC should have no regrets over trading Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren. It was almost four years ago that the UFC made a cross-promotion trade, sending Demetrious Johnson to ONE Championship in return for Ben Askren. In 2018 the agreement was reached between the UFC and Singapore’s ONE Championship which saw the first trade between the two MMA promotions.
Ben Askren reveals the only fight he would end his retirement for
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Ben Askren is happily retired from MMA but admits there is one fight that would draw him back in. Askren retired following his submission loss to Demian Maia but then made his pro boxing debut and was knocked out by Jake Paul. After the loss, he confirmed his career would be over as he needed hip surgery and cited his age. However, ‘Funky’ says he would end his retirement and return to fighting to face Jorge Masvidal.
Ben Askren blasts Jorge Masvidal for trying to lockup a title fight with Leon Edwards: “You can’t avoid someone for 3 years then try to pick a fight once they get a belt”
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2022
Ben Askren doesn’t think Jorge Masvidal should be fighting for UFC gold his next time out. After Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 to become the new welterweight champ, Masvidal was quick to campaign for the fight. Of course, the two have a history with the three-piece and a soda incident in London as well as being booked to face one another at UFC 269.
Ben Askren responds after Jorge Masvidal suggests he would “love” to face him in a straight wrestling match
Susan Cox - April 20, 2022
Ben Askren has responded after Jorge Masvidal suggested he would ‘love’ to face him in a straight wrestling match. Askren, 37, is a former professional mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler. ‘Funky’ is the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion, who remained undefeated for over a decade before competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Ben Askren (19-2 MMA) retired from active competition after his loss to Demian Maia (28-11 MMA) back in October of 2019.
Ben Askren reacts after Jorge Masvidal tries to clarify previous threat of ending his bloodline: “Is this an apology or what is this?”
Susan Cox - March 25, 2022
Ben Askren has reacted after Jorge Masvidal attempted to clarify a previous threat he had made about ending his bloodline. It was Ben Askren (19-2 MMA) vs Jorge Masvidal (35-16 MMA) at UFC 239 back in July of 2019. In the fastest and perhaps most violent knockout in the history of the UFC, it was ‘Gamebred’ who came out victorious at the 0:05 mark of the opening round.
Ben Askren roasts Jorge Masvidal for alleged steakhouse attack on Colby Covington
Josh Evanoff - March 22, 2022
Ben Askren has reacted to Jorge Masvidal’s alleged assault on Colby Covington. Earlier this month, ‘Chaos’ and ‘Gamebred’ met in the main event of UFC 272. The bout was billed as friends-turned-rivals and had massive bad-blood going in. As for the fight itself, it was dominated by Covington’s wrestling, and he won via unanimous decision.
Ben Askren praises Colby Covington for “great” callout of Dustin Poirier: “Huge name, easy win”
Susan Cox - March 21, 2022
Ben Askren, the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion has praised Colby Covington on his ‘great’ callout of Dustin Poirier. It was after UFC 272 on March 5th, at the post fight press conference, that Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) called out Dustin Poirier (28-7 MMA). In speaking with Joe Rogan, Colby had this to say:
Jorge Masvidal reveals tattoo of iconic knockout of Ben Askren, 'Funky' responds: "What a stupid logo"
Josh Evanoff - March 4, 2022
Jorge Masvidal revealed a tattoo of his iconic knockout of Ben Askren and ‘Funky’ has since responded. ‘Gamebred’ is set to fight this weekend at UFC 272 against friend-turned-foe Colby Covington. This morning at the weigh-ins, the welterweight star revealed some new ink on his shoulder.
Ben Askren calls out Nate Diaz for UFC fight: "Would be happy to be the last fight on his contract"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren called out Nate Diaz for a UFC fight, saying he “would be happy to be the last fight on his contract.” Askren retired from the UFC after losing to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia citing lingering injury issues. Following his retirement, Askren returned to combat sports in boxing, having been knocked out by Jake Paul earlier this year. Since then, we have not heard much from Askren in regards to fighting again. But it appears as though “Funky” is interested in a return to combat sports, only this time in the UFC, and he has a specific opponent in mind.
Ben Askren admits Jake Paul 'is kind of good' at boxing
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Ben Askren, who was considered Jake Paul’s first real test, admits the brash YouTuber turned boxer is pretty good at boxing. Askren ended his retirement to box Paul and in the lead-up to the fight, he made it clear he didn’t think the Disney actor turned Youtuber turned boxer was good. He was just 2-0 with knockout wins over former NBA player Nate Robinson, and YouTuber, AnEsonGib. However, Paul scored a vicious first-round KO over Askren in their boxing match back in April.
Ben Askren on once being a part of Joe Rogan's MMA GOAT list: "I would never expect anyone to think of me that way."
Christopher Taylor - November 21, 2021
Ben Askren was once considered one of the greatest MMA fighters in the world, even finding a spot on Joe Rogan’s GOAT list. This was of course prior to ‘Funky’ making his Octagon debut in 2019, when he sported a perfect professional record of 18-0 and had captured championships in both Bellator and ONE.
Ben Askren reacts to Jake Paul defeating Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2021
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren reacted to Jake Paul defeating his longtime friend and teammate Tyron Woodley in their recent boxing match. Askren, of course, fought Paul back in April and he was TKOed quickly in the first round. Following that fight, Woodley — Askren’s longtime teammate — got into a rivalry with Paul that culminated in them fighting this past Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio, with Paul taking home a narrow split decision over the former UFC welterweight champion. While most thought Paul did enough to win the fight, Askren believes that Woodley deserved the nod.
Ben Askren says he will "feel much better" about his loss if Jake Paul defeats Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - August 26, 2021
Ben Askren admitted he was embarrassed he got knocked out by Jake Paul but says he will feel better about it if the YouTuber defeats Tyron Woodley. In the main event of the Showtime boxing pay-per-view on Sunday in Cleveland, Paul is putting his undefeated record on the line as he takes on Woodley. It’s an intriguing matchup as Paul knocked out Woodley’s friend and training partner in Askren back in April.
Triller offering one month clemency for fans who illegal streamed Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2021
Triller is continuing to go after people who illegally streamed their Fight Club event on April 17 between Jake Paul and Ben Askren. Triller recently came out and said they were filing a lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages from illegal streamers. Now, the promotion is taking it one step further suggesting that anyone who illegally watched Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren can pay the $49.99 price tag for the event. In exchange, those individuals’ names will be removed from lawsuit, which seeks a $150,000 penalty from every person who pirated the card.
Triller files lawsuit against illegal streamers for Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren, claim $100 million in damages
Cole Shelton - April 26, 2021
Triller, like many combat sports promotions, is going after illegal streamers in the form of a lawsuit. Yahoo! Sports was the first to report the news that Triller filed in the U.S. District Court in central California.
Oscar De La Hoya apologizes for Triller commentary disaster: "I got a little over carried away"
Christopher Taylor - April 22, 2021
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has apologized after his commentary during last Saturday’s Triller: Askren vs. Paul event in Atlanta. De La Hoya joined the Triller commentary booth during Saturday’s pay-per-view and appeared to be under the influence. Oscar’s commentary was actually so outlandish that it began to overshadow the actually boxing matches.
Ben Askren receives apology from Michael Buffer for having name said wrong
Adam D Martin - April 22, 2021
Veteran ring announcement Michael Buffer apologized for saying Ben Askren wrong when he introduced him this past Saturday night. Askren fought Jake Paul in the main event of the Triller Fight Club boxing event this past Saturday night. When Buffer introduced Askren, he mispronounced his last name, calling him “Ben Askew,” to which Askren could be seen looking confused when his name was read. Buffer is ne of the top ring announcers in the game, but anyone can make a mistake with a name and it just so happens that he did so in front of millions of live viewers. It was am embarassing error and one that fans made sure they noticed by tweeting about it.