Ben Askren News

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 26, 2019

Ben Askren has given his take on Artem Lobov’s victory over Paulie Malignaggi. Lobov vs. Malignaggi served as the main event of BKFC 6 inside the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa on June 22. Malignaggi was the slight favorite going into the bout, but he dropped a unanimous decision after five rounds of bare-knuckle boxing action. Many were surprised that Lobov scored the win given Malignaggi’s boxing experience.

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.

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.

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.

Christopher Taylor - June 24, 2019

Earlier tonight news broke that former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington would be returning to the octagon at August’s UFC Newark event against former division kingpin Robbie Lawler. The booking came as a shock to many, as it was anticipated that Covington would serve as the first challenger to newly crowned division title holder Kamaru Usman.

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.

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.”

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.

Christopher Taylor - June 3, 2019

Undefeated welterweight standout Ben Askren (19-0 MMA) took aim at former UFC lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz on Monday afternoon. The former Bellator and ONE Champion, Askren, roasted the younger Diaz brother over his professional record as a lightweight.

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.

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.

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. 

Tom Taylor - May 7, 2019

On Monday night, UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren stepped onto the mats for a wrestling match with Jordan Burroughs. The bout topped the Beat the Streets 2019 charity event, which emanated the Hulu Theatre inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden. In the end, this charity wrestling match did not go well for Askren. The former ONE and Bellator champ was shut out by Burroughs, who won 11-0.

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).

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.

Tom Taylor - April 11, 2019

One of the most anticipated features of the UFC 235 bill was a welterweight showdown between former UFC champ Robbie Lawler and former ONE and Bellator champ Ben Askren. Regrettably, this bout ended in controversy. Mid-way through the first round, Askren locked up a bulldog choke that appeared to lull Lawler to sleep. After referee Herb Dean stopped the action, however, Lawler protested, and the replay revealed that he might not have actually gone out.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

Ben Askren was one of several guest fighters in attendance for the recent UFC London card, which was topped by a welterweight scrap between Jorge Masvidal and Darren Till. Apparently, Askren had a bit of a tense run-in with Masvidal during his time in London. The former ONE and Bellator champ compared this run-in with Masvidal to his recent backstage encounter with Kamaru Usman (who he calls ‘Marty.’)