Jorge Masvidal: Ben Askren is ‘a weasel and a coward’ for accepting Robbie Lawler win

Ben Askren finally has a UFC win on his resume — unfortunately it came with a side order of controversy. The win, which occurred at UFC 235, came when he locked up a bulldog choke on Robbie Lawler. For a moment, it looked like the choke had lulled Lawler unconcious. The instant replay, however, revealed that Lawler seemed to be wide awake, and still capable of fighting.

Whatever the case, Ben Askren seems to have moved on, and is now focusing on his next challenge in the UFC’s Octagon. While nothing is official just yet, it sounds like Askren’s next challenge will pit him against the winner of this weekend’s Jorge Masvidal vs. Darren Till fight.

Over the last few weeks, Till and Askren have exchanged plenty of trash talk on social media. More recently, in a chat with MMA Junkie, Jorge Masvidal gave his take on the new welterweight contender.

From the sounds of it, he was not impressed by Askren’s UFC debut. He also feels the former Bellator and ONE champ owes Robbie Lawler a rematch.

“He’s a little groupie, man,” Masvidal said. “He’s calling my name. Who are you? Herb Dean gifted you a win and you’re calling people out? Give Robbie Lawler the respect you owe.”

“As a man, as a fighter, having pride in what I do, I choke somebody out, or I think choke them out, but when I see the replay and see the guy put the thumbs up, in my head, I would say, ‘Man, I didn’t choke this guy out,’” Masvidal continued. “And as a man, having pride, I would say, ‘Let’s do it again,’ especially after he (expletive) decapitated me on the slam, busted up my face. ‘Let’s go it again,’ because I definitely didn’t choke you out. Because I’ve never seen nobody go to sleep like this. That’s the first.

“But that’s how much of a weasel and coward he is. ‘No, no, I’m gone already. I wouldn’t dare repeat that route again.’ That just shows you his character. He’s a (expletive).”

What do you think of Jorge Masvidal’s comments on Ben Askren? Do you think we’ll see these two in the cage together soon?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 3/13/2019.