Ben Askren News
Michael Bisping: Demian Maia was the worst possible matchup for Ben Askren
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Dana White praises Ben Askren after loss to Demian Maia
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.
Ben Askren believes he still can prove he's the best fighter in the world
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.
UFC rankings update: Ben Askren takes a tumble, Dominick Cruz exits
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Singapore card, and as expected, former ONE and Bellator champ Ben Askren has taken a tumble down the welterweight rankings after losing to Demian Maia in the main event. In victory, Maia has hiked up four spots to No. 6.
Ben Askren says retirement is 'definitely something' he's considering after Demian Maia loss
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.
What's next for Demian Maia and Ben Askren after UFC Singapore?
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.
Dana White calls Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson an ‘amazing trade’ for the UFC
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.
Looking back on the Ben Askren-Demetrious Johnson trade one year later
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2019
On Oct. 27, 2018, the MMA world was shaken up as it was announced the UFC and ONE Championship made a trade. The Las Vegas-based promotion traded longtime flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson, to the Singapore-based promotion for the former welterweight champion, Ben Askren. Right away, fans wondered who came out on top in this trade. The UFC was sending one of the greatest fighters of all time in Johnson for an undefeated Askren who could sell fights with his trash-talk. It seemed like a win-win for both fighters and promotions at the time. But, one year later, is it still a win-win?
Demian Maia issues classy statement following submission win over Ben Askren
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.
Tyron Woodley believes Ben Askren's confidence in escaping bad situations cost him against Demian Maia
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has shared his thoughts on Ben Askren’s submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Woodley and Askren are longtime friends and training partners, so ‘The Chosen One’ was obviously disappointed to witness ‘Funky’ suffer his second career defeat.
Gilbert Burns tells UFC not to cut Ben Askren so he can fight him instead
Adam Martin - October 26, 2019
UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns is pleading with the UFC matchmakers not to cut Ben Askren in the wake of his third-round submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Gilbert Burns and Ben Askren have spoken about a potential grappling superfight in the past, but Burns seems much more interested in facing Askren in the Octagon. After losing to Maia, Askren is now just 1-2 in the UFC and at a very real risk of being released. Burns hopes that doesn’t happen, at least until he gets a chance to put his hands on him.
Ben Askren reflects after submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC Singapore
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
Ben Askren was hoping that a win over submission ace Demian Maia at today’s UFC Singapore event would put him right back into welterweight title contention. Unfortunately for ‘Funky’, things did not go according to plan against the Brazilian submission specialist.
UFC Singapore Results: Demian Maia sleeps Ben Askren (Video)
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
A key welterweight bout between Ben Askren and Demian Maia headlines today’s UFC Singapore event. Askren will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the first loss of his career in devastating fashion to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in July.
UFC Singapore Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
A key welterweight bout featuring division standouts Ben Askren and Demian Maia headlines today’s UFC Singapore event. Askren will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the first loss of his career in devastating fashion to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in July.
Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren join forces to bash Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - October 25, 2019
Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren have never gotten along, but that doesn’t mean they can’t come together to roast a mutual nemesis. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say.
UFC Singapore: How And When To Watch
Natasha Hooper - October 24, 2019
UFC Singapore takes place this weekend on Saturday, 26 October 2019. In the main-event, expert grappler Demian Maia will be squaring off against the former Bellator and ONE champion, Ben Askren.
Ben Askren explains how he got over Jorge Masvidal loss
Tom Taylor - October 24, 2019
Ben Askren experienced the first loss of his professional MMA career earlier this year, and it was a tough one. The loss occurred in a UFC 239 battle with Jorge Masvidal. Five seconds and one flying knee into the fight, and Askren’s undefeated record was no more.
UFC Singapore | Pro fighters make their picks for Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2019
In the main event of UFC Singapore, Ben Askren will be looking to get back into the win column when he takes on Demian Maia. Heading into this fight, “Funky” is a -175 favorite while the Brazilian is a +145 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Maia being able to submit Ben Askren and extend his losing streak to two.