Ben Askren News
Ben Askren scoffs at Conor McGregor’s claim that he plans on fighting 3 or 4 times in the next year: “That’s crazy talk”
Susan Cox - June 3, 2023
Ben Askren has scoffed at Conor McGregor’s claim that he plans on fighting 3 or 4 times in the next year. The Irishman, 34, has not fought in the Octagon since his TKO loss to Dustin Poirier (29-7 MMA) in July of 2021 at UFC 264.
Ben Askren offers a prediction for 'actually not bad' Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match
Josh Evanoff - June 2, 2023
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren didn’t actually expect Jake Paul to be good at boxing. ‘Funky’ has been retired since an April 2021 clash against ‘The Problem Child’. The boxing match was the first of Askren’s career, and will likely go down as the last. The former Bellator champion was predictably knocked out in the first round by Paul.
Ben Askren calls out Jon Jones after recent Francis Ngannou remarks
Lewis Simpson - May 18, 2023
Ben Askren has an issue with the UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones following his recent remarks directed at Francis Ngannou. Following the announcement that Ngannou would sign a record-breaking deal with the PFL, Jones quickly poked jabs at the former UFC heavyweight champion. Earlier this year, Ngannou revealed he wouldn’t re-sign with the UFC and would test the waters of free agency.
Jorge Masvidal details why he was "95 percent certain" that his flying knee would KO Ben Askren
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2023
Jorge Masvidal was confident he would be able to KO Ben Askren with a flying knee after he got face-to-face with him. Masvidal and Askren fought back in July of 2019 at UFC 239 at International Fight Week in a highly anticipated fight. The pair engaged in a ton of trash talk in the leadup to the contest, with Askren claiming he would easily be able to outwrestle Masvidal. Once the pair went face-to-face, ‘Gamebred’ was certain ‘Funky’ would try and shoot right away.
Ben Askren believes Jorge Masvidal was pressured into accepting fight with Gilbert Burns at UFC 287: “He doesn’t think he’s gonna win either”
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2023
Ben Askren has explained why he doesn’t believe Jorge Masvidal will defeat Gilbert Burns when they meet at UFC 287. It’s no secret that Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal don’t like each other. After all, ‘Gamebred’ was the one who knocked Askren out cold when they met back in 2019.
Ben Askren reflects on devasting defeats to Jorge Masvidal, Jake Paul, and end of MMA career: "I totally messed it up"
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2023
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren has reflected on the close of his combat sports career. ‘Funky’ initially retired from MMA back in 2017, following a title defense against Shinya Aoki. Askren defeated the jiu-jitsu ace by first-round stoppage and hung up the gloves for good. However, he noted that he would return to the sport if he could fight in the UFC.
Ben Askren open to a rematch with Jake Paul in PFL if the UFC will allow it: “I’d love to rub his face in the canvas”
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2023
Ben Askren has explained how his UFC contract could prevent him from facing Jake Paul in a mixed martial arts bout. Back in April 2021, Ben Askren opted to step foot into the boxing ring to take on Jake Paul. Many weren’t quite sure how it would play out but in the end, ‘The Problem Child’ dusted Askren within the first round.
Ben Askren praises Paddy Pimblett's attitude following controversial win over Jared Gordon: "That’s what early McGregor would have done"
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2022
While many are attacking Paddy Pimblett, Ben Askren liked what he saw at UFC 282. ‘The Baddy’ made his return to the octagon last Saturday night on pay-per-view. The bout was just Pimblett’s fourth in the promotion, and despite that, he’s already a star. Promotional deals with brands such as Barstool Sports have only raised his profile further.
Ben Askren shares his thoughts on a potential Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz boxing match: “I don't know why anyone would think that Nate has much of a chance”
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2022
Ben Askren shared his brutally honest assessment of a potential Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz fight. After Paul defeated Anderson Silva by decision to improve to 6-0, he called out Nate Diaz. It’s a fight he has talked about for quite some time and the interest only increased after the win. As well, the two have taken shots at one another for quite some time and at the event, their teams got into a backstage scuffle.
Joe Rogan reveals that he previously pleaded with the UFC to sign Ben Askren years prior to trade for Demetrious Johnson: "He was ragdolling these dudes!"
Josh Evanoff - October 27, 2022
UFC commentator Joe Rogan didn’t have a direct hand in Ben Askren heading to the UFC, but he absolutely helped. ‘Funky’ is one of the greatest wrestlers to ever step into the octagon. After an excellent freestyle wrestling career, Askren moved to MMA in 2009 and quickly found himself in Bellator. There, he began dominating the welterweight division.
Ben Askren recalls first memories after Jorge Masvidal knockout: 'F***, that's Luke Rockhold. That means I'm in the hospital'
Andrew Whitelaw - October 20, 2022
Ben Askren has become synonymous with Jorge Masvidal after he suffered a 5 second knockout at the hands of ‘Gamebred’ in 2019. The former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion shot for an early takedown but was caught by a flying knee. It was an iconic finish for Masvidal. The stoppage that launched a thousand memes. In reality, it was probably a lot more that that. The moment was so significant for Masvidal that he even got it tattooed on his shoulder and turned into t-shirts.
Ben Askren believes "journeyman bum" Jorge Masvidal should appreciate him for stardom: "He needs to send me a Christmas card"
Josh Evanoff - October 19, 2022
Years after their fight, Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal still appear to not be on good terms. At UFC 239 in July 2019, ‘Funky’ and ‘Gamebred’ met in a key welterweight clash. At the time, Askren was 1-0 in the UFC and was undefeated in his career. It was just months after his trade to the promotion, and he was looking to make a splash against the resurging Masvidal.
Ben Askren reveals the only fight he would end his retirement for
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Ben Askren is happily retired from MMA but admits there is one fight that would draw him back in. Askren retired following his submission loss to Demian Maia but then made his pro boxing debut and was knocked out by Jake Paul. After the loss, he confirmed his career would be over as he needed hip surgery and cited his age. However, ‘Funky’ says he would end his retirement and return to fighting to face Jorge Masvidal.
Ben Askren blasts Jorge Masvidal for trying to lockup a title fight with Leon Edwards: “You can’t avoid someone for 3 years then try to pick a fight once they get a belt”
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2022
Ben Askren doesn’t think Jorge Masvidal should be fighting for UFC gold his next time out. After Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 to become the new welterweight champ, Masvidal was quick to campaign for the fight. Of course, the two have a history with the three-piece and a soda incident in London as well as being booked to face one another at UFC 269.
Ben Askren reflects on boxing match with Jake Paul: "Turning it down would have been both cowardly and limiting my opportunity"
Josh Evanoff - July 20, 2022
Ben Askren is glad he took a boxing match with Jake Paul. ‘Funky’ retired from MMA in November 2019, following a loss to Demian Maia. With that, he also ended his UFC stint, holding a 1-2 record. While he debuted with a win over Robbie Lawler, he then suffered subsequent defeats to Jorge Masvidal and the aforementioned Maia.
Ben Askren responds after Jorge Masvidal suggests he would “love” to face him in a straight wrestling match
Susan Cox - April 20, 2022
Ben Askren has responded after Jorge Masvidal suggested he would ‘love’ to face him in a straight wrestling match. Askren, 37, is a former professional mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler. ‘Funky’ is the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion, who remained undefeated for over a decade before competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Ben Askren (19-2 MMA) retired from active competition after his loss to Demian Maia (28-11 MMA) back in October of 2019.
Ben Askren roasts Jorge Masvidal for alleged steakhouse attack on Colby Covington
Josh Evanoff - March 22, 2022
Ben Askren has reacted to Jorge Masvidal’s alleged assault on Colby Covington. Earlier this month, ‘Chaos’ and ‘Gamebred’ met in the main event of UFC 272. The bout was billed as friends-turned-rivals and had massive bad-blood going in. As for the fight itself, it was dominated by Covington’s wrestling, and he won via unanimous decision.
Ben Askren praises Colby Covington for “great” callout of Dustin Poirier: “Huge name, easy win”
Susan Cox - March 21, 2022
Ben Askren, the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion has praised Colby Covington on his ‘great’ callout of Dustin Poirier. It was after UFC 272 on March 5th, at the post fight press conference, that Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) called out Dustin Poirier (28-7 MMA). In speaking with Joe Rogan, Colby had this to say: