Ben Askren News
Who did it better: Jorge Masvidal or Kid Yamamoto
Natasha Hooper - July 16, 2019
Jorge Masvidal broke the UFC record for the fastest KO in history on July 6, snapping Ben Askren’s undefeated streak with a brutal flying knee. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” anticipated a takedown attempt from Askren and counteracted “Funky” with a flying knee. Askren was knocked out cold, and Masvidal was quick to bask in the glory of his swift victory. The fight ended officially at the five second mark of round 1. However, Masvidal believes if the referee had intervened sooner, the fight would have finished within 2 or 3 seconds.
So about that Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson trade…
Jordy McElroy - July 16, 2019
The shuttering quake from comatose welterweight star Ben Askren crashing to the canvas in record-breaking time at UFC 239 could be felt from Nevada to Singapore, where former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson was shipped off to in a historic trade less than a year ago. Not even the Richter scale is capable of measuring the size of those tremors, which opened up cracks in the reasoning Johnson was ever traded in the first place. That isn’t to suggest Ben Askren in the UFC hasn’t been entertaining. It has been a rollercoaster ride and cotton candy rolled into one. He talks the talk and walks the walk against the toughest guys in the UFC; guys that boast the kind of knockout power to alter careers with a single strike.
Stephen Thompson weighs in on Jorge Masvidal's celebration after Askren KO
Fernando Quiles - July 15, 2019
Stephen Thompson certainly isn’t one to talk trash, but he isn’t down on Jorge Masvidal’s UFC 239 post-fight celebration. There was some bad blood going into the UFC 239 main card bout between Masvidal and Ben Askren. “Gamebred” made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of Askren, while “Funky” kept poking the bear. Askren even suggested that Masvidal wasn’t secure in his own masculinity.
Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren continue to trade barbs on social media
Chris Taylor - July 13, 2019
Jorge Masvidal needed only 5-seconds to hand Ben Askren the first professional loss of his mixed martial arts career at UFC 239 last weekend in Las Vegas. ‘Gamebred’ was able to connect with a flying knee just seconds into the opening frame, which sent ‘Funky’ crashing to the canvas in a state of unconsciousness.
Chael Sonnen praises Ben Askren for how he's handled UFC 239 KO loss
Fernando Quiles - July 12, 2019
Tyron Woodley believes Ben Askren will come back 'better man, better fighter'
Mike Heck - July 11, 2019
Tyron Woodley had a lot to think about on Saturday night following Jorge Masvidal’s vicious knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239. For starters, Askren is a teammate and close friend of the former UFC welterweight champion. In addition, Masvidal is a surging contender looking to cut ahead of Woodley in the 170-pound title conversation.
Jorge Masvidal calls new KO record 'a real f**king achievement'
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is now a UFC record holder. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” took on Ben Askren. To start the fight, he ran across the cage and landed a perfectly placed flying knee that knocked his foe out cold. The official time of the knockout was five seconds, which is still the record. But, as Joe Rogan pointed on the broadcast, had the ref gotten in position faster, it could have very well been two or three seconds.
After KO loss, Duke Roufus expects Ben Askren to come back better than ever
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Ben Askren suffered the first professional loss of his career at UFC 239. There, Jorge Masvidal knocked out “Funky” with a flying knee just five seconds into the fight. The nasty strike kept the Olympic wrestler unconscious for quite a while. In Askren’s corner was his coach, Duke Roufus who admits it was scary to see that happen. Although he knows the loss sucks, the coach has to give credit where credit is due. He knows the flying knee was a risky move by Masvidal and knows had he been one second earlier or later, the fight could have gone totally different.
Chatri Sityodtong reacts to Ben Askren's first pro loss
Thomas Taylor - July 9, 2019
Over the weekend, former ONE Championship welterweight king Ben Askren experienced his first professional loss, succumbing to a flying knee just five seconds into a UFC 239 bout with Jorge Masvidal. Speaking on Facebook on Tuesday, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong shared his take on the former ONE Champ’s first taste of defeat. https://www.facebook.com/yodchatri/posts/2438854596176687
UFC 239 medical suspensions revealed, Ben Askren gets lengthy sit after KO loss
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Last weekend, the Octagon returned to Las Vegas, Nevada for International Fight Week and a stacked UFC 239 card. In the main event, light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones defended his title as he edged out a split-decision over Thiago Santos. During the fight, the Brazilian’s knee buckled numerous times, while “Bones” had to be carried out of the Octagon due to his own leg injury. Meanwhile, the co-main event saw Amanda Nunes knock out Holly Holm in the first frame to defend her bantamweight title.
Jorge Masvidal open to future grappling match with Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal made very short work of his nemesis Ben Askren, flattening the former ONE and Bellator champ with a flying knee just five seconds into their UFC 239 fight. While this decisive outcome initially looked like it would put an end to the beef between Masvidal and Askren, it’s become clear that there’s still some bad blood between them.
Kenny Florian calls Jorge Masvidal a 'hero' after Ben Askren KO
Fernando Quiles - July 8, 2019
Former UFC fighter Kenny Florian praises Jorge Masvidal for taking a big risk and having it pay off. It’s not often that fighters at the highest of levels in mixed martial arts start a fight by charging at their opponent. Not since the late Kid Yamamoto did it back in 2006 have we seen an elite MMA fighter pull it off to almost instant success. That’s exactly what Masvidal did when he iced Ben Askren with a flying knee in just five seconds at UFC 239.
Ben Askren gives update on fighting future after first loss
Mike Pendleton - July 8, 2019
Following his record-setting knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239, Ben Askren doesn’t sound ready to stop fighting. Askren suffered his first professional MMA loss to Masvidal this past weekend, and on Monday he provided an update on his fighting future. During an interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Ben Askren was asked if he has plans to keep fighting following his loss, and he responded with a quick “yes”.
Fans troll Ben Askren’s wife on Instagram following KO loss to Jorge Masvidal
Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2019
Fans took to social media to mock Ben Askren after his abrupt loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239. However, some fans took it a step further by taking aim at “Funky’s” wife and family. Askren ate a flying knee from his opponent, “Gamebred” Masvidal within five seconds of the first-round. Masvidal made sure to deliver two extra blows to Askren as he fell to the ground, securing his explosive victory. Both fans and fighters were in awe of such a decisive win.
VIDEO | Jorge Masvidal watches Israel Adesanya's live reaction to Askren KO, loves it
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019
When Jorge Masvidal knocked Ben Askren unconcious with a flying knee in just five seconds at UFC 239, he left thousands of onlookers in shock. That includes UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who was in the middle of an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter at the time. See how Adesanya reacted to this highlight reel knockout below:
Dana White comments on future of Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019
Former ONE and Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren experienced the first loss of his professional MMA career at UFC 239, and in highlight reel fashion. The wrestler was switched off by a devastating Jorge Masvidal flying knee just five seconds into their main card encounter. It was the fastest knockout in UFC history.
Jorge Masvidal KOs Ben Askren Animated Video
Christopher Taylor - July 7, 2019
An animated video of Jorge Masvidal knocking out Ben Askren at UFC 239 went viral on the internet earlier today. The hilarious cartoon, which was created by the extremly talented Mojahed Fudailat (subscribe to his YouTube Channel here), features not only the fastest knockout in UFC history, but also guest appearances from Dana White and Darren Till.
Darren Till sends Ben Askren a message following 5-second KO loss at UFC 239
Christopher Taylor - July 7, 2019
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till sent a message to Ben Askren following his brutal 5-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239. Although Askren and Till have previously had some bitter exchanges online, the Liverpool native opted to take the high road when addressing ‘Funky’s’ historic loss to ‘Gamebred’.
What's next for the stars of UFC 239?
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2019
International Fight Week has come and gone and with it was a stacked UFC 239 card. The card was headlined by Jon Jones looking to defend his light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos. In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes was looking to defend her bantamweight title against Holly Holm. And, in a pivotal welterweight bout, Jorge Masvidal fought Ben Askren. Jones ended up edging out a split-decision win over Santos while Nunes TKO’d Holm in the first round and Masvidal knocked out Askren in five seconds.