Ben Askren News

Fernando Quiles - November 21, 2019

Brendan Schaub is giving Ben Askren props for giving it a shot with the UFC. Askren wrapped up his MMA career after going 1-2 under the UFC banner. “Funky” cited needing to undergo hip replacement surgery as the reason for his decision. While Askren’s UFC run may not have been a total success, his reigns as the Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight ruler haven’t gone unnoticed.

Adam Martin - November 20, 2019

Recently retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren says that he wants to give television commentary for MMA events a try now that his fighting career is over. Askren announced his retirement Monday on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, citing a need for hip replacement surgery as the main factor behind his decision. Askren was undefeated heading into the UFC with a 18-0, 1 NC record and was the former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion. But he struggled in the Octagon with just a 1-2 record, including back-to-back stoppage losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia.

Fernando Quiles - November 19, 2019

Chael Sonnen admits that Ben Askren’s decision to hang up his gloves for good surprised him. Askren went into the UFC with a ton of hype. “Funky” had captured Bellator and ONE Championship gold. While Askren initially retired, he ended up signing with the UFC via a trade with ONE for Demetrious Johnson. Askren went 1-2 under the UFC banner. He submitted Robbie Lawler and was stopped by Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. During a recent appearance on ESPN’s Ariel Helwani MMA Show, Askren said he’s done for good now.

Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019

From the moment Ben Askren announced his retirement from MMA, you knew it was only a matter of time before Dillon Danis — one of Askren’s chief naysayers — chimed in. It’s finally happened.

Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019

Ben Askren is done fighting. The former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight king announced the end of his fighting career on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, adding that he now plans to undergo a hip replacement. Askren ends his fighting career on a two-fight skid, having come up short against Demian Maia and Jorge Masvidal, by knockout and submission, in his last two fights. While these losses expedited his decision to retire, he explained that he likely would have retired soon even if he’d been winning.

Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019

Ben Askren has decided to hang up the gloves. The former ONE and Bellator welterweight title holder announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.

Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019

Ben Askren has announced his retirement from MMA. Askren made this announcement on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, adding that he requires a hip replacement, and will undergo this complicated procedure now that his fighting days are done.

Tom Taylor - November 15, 2019

Earlier this year, Ben Askren stepped into the UFC’s Octagon for the first time, with mountains of hype associated with his name. After an impressive win over Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut, however, he’s experienced back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia respectively — a five-second knockout and a submission. After these stoppage losses, some members of the MMA community believe Askren should retire. Askren himself seems to be thinking about it. 

Fernando Quiles - October 31, 2019

Ben Askren’s fighting future will boil down to how “Funky” is feeling mentally, at least that’s what Chael Sonnen believes. Askren has dropped back-to-back bouts and was stopped in both outings. He suffered a record-setting knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal back in July and was choked out by Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Askren recently admitted to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that he is considering retirement.

Fernando Quiles - October 30, 2019

Michael Bisping always believed that Demian Maia would prove to be a tough matchup for Ben Askren. This past Saturday, Askren returned to Singapore to meet Maia in a welterweight clash. The bout headlined UFC Singapore in Kallang. “Funky” was hoping to rebound from his record-setting knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal back in July. It didn’t pan out for him as he was submitted in the third round via rear-naked choke.

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019

The days of Dana White and Ben Askren publicly bashing each other seem to be over. In fact, White has leapt to Askren’s defense after Askren was submitted by Demian Maia in the UFC Singapore main event over the weekend.

Cole Shelton - October 29, 2019

Two straight losses haven’t derailed Ben Askren’s confidence. Askren retired in 2017 because he could not get a shot in the UFC to prove he was the best welterweight in the world. Yet, this year that all changed. He made his Octagon debut in March with a submission win over Robbie Lawler. Since then though, he lost in five-seconds to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 and then was submitted by Demian Maia. His stock has dropped due to the setbacks and now said he is contemplating retirement.

Mike Pendleton - October 28, 2019

Douglas Lima is once again the Bellator MMA welterweight champion and is also $1 million richer after defeating Rory MacDonald at Bellator 232. It was a tough day road through the Welterweight World Grand Prix for Lima to get his title back and while he’s back at the top, a former opponent of his is seeing his career go in the opposite direction. Back in 2012, after going on a three-fight winning streak to start his Bellator career, Lima would face then Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren for the championship, and it was “Funky” coming out victorious at Bellator 64.

Cole Shelton - October 28, 2019

Ben Askren’s time in MMA may be over once again. Back in 2017, Askren retired from the sport after he defended his ONE Championship welterweight title. He said he had nothing else to prove as he wanted to show he was the best in the world.

Cole Shelton - October 28, 2019

At Saturday’s UFC Singapore card, Demian Maia and Ben Askren were looking to prove who was the best grappler in the UFC’s welterweight division. Maia is the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace while Askren is a former Olympic wrestler and All-American. This time around, jiu jitsu trumped wrestling, as Demian Maia submitted Ben Askren in the third round. It was the Brazilian’s third-straight win while “Funky” has now lost two in a row and is just 1-2 in the UFC arriving in the promotion.

Adam Martin - October 28, 2019

Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the infamous Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson trade between the UFC and ONE Championship. Replying to a fan on social media, UFC president Dana White called it an “amazing trade” for the UFC. It was one year ago when the UFC and ONE Championship made history with MMA’s first-ever trade. Headed to the UFC was former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren, while headed to ONE was former UFC flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson. It was a surprising move for both organizations, but one that ultimately made sense for both.

Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019

Bellator’s Dillon Danis has proclaimed himself to be the “best grappler in MMA” following Ben Askren’s submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Dillon Danis, who is always vocal on his social media channels, took to Twitter to issue his latest bold statement.

Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019

UFC welterweight Demian Maia has issued a classy statement following his third-round submission victory over Ben Askren in the main event of UFC Singapore. Demian Maia, who is known as one of the most humble and respected fighters in MMA, took to social media to share some kind words for Askren after beating him in what turned out to be a very entertaining grappling match that won “Fight of the Night.” Maia also mentioned to Askren he would like to train with him someday.