Ben Askren reacts to potential Nick Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal fight

Yesterday afternoon, the MMA community was hit by the exciting news that, after four long years away from the Octagon, former Strikeforce welterweight champ and UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz could soon be returning. According to a report from ESPN, the Stockton-based fan favorite could be making his long-awaited comeback opposite Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235.

One of the first members of the MMA community to react to this news was Ben Askren, one of the highest-profile UFC signings of late. Askren, who is the former ONE Championship and Bellator lightweight king, is currently linked to a January scrap with former UFC welterweight champ Robbie Lawler.

Nonetheless, he says he’d like to fight the Nick Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal winner thereafter.

Give me the winner after I take out Robbie, I like easy money. https://t.co/0dso3F3mX4

— Funky (@Benaskren) November 16, 2018

“Give me the winner after I take out Robbie, I like easy money,” Ben Askren said of this exciting potential matchup.

Ben Askren (18-0) last fought in November of 2017, when he scored a TKO win over Shinya Aoki in a superfight that was supposed to serve as the last bout of his career. With this win, he improved to 6-0 in ONE Championship, building on a legendary run as Bellator’s welterweight champion. Over the course of his career, he’s defeated names like Aoki, Zebaztian Kadestam, Andrey Koreshkov, Douglas Lima, Jay Hieron and Lyman Good.

Nick Diaz (26-9), meanwhile, has not fought since a January 2015 no contest with Anderson Silva. In his next most recent bouts, he gave up decisions to Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit. Diaz last won in 2011, when he defeated BJ Penn by unanimous decision at UFC 137.

Jorge Masvidal (32-13), finally, last fought in November, when he gave up a decision to Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. This loss was preceded by a razor-close decision loss to Demian Maia.

Would you like to see Ben Askren fight the Nick Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal winner?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 11/16/2018.