Ben Askren News
Mike Perry challenges Ben Askren to fight for charity
Adam Martin - August 20, 2019
UFC welterweight Mike Perry took to social media to challenge Ben Askren to a fight, with the winner donating $20,000 to a charity of the loser’s choosing. Here’s what Perry said to Askren on Twitter.
Anthony Pettis responds to backlash surrounding Masvidal-Askren KO comment
Tom Taylor - August 19, 2019
Anthony Pettis and Ben Askren are training partners at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So, it’d be safe to assume Pettis was was disappointed when Askren was brutally knocked out by Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239. Yet that’s not what Pettis told Masvidal’s training partner Yoel Romero.
Jorge Masvidal calls Ben Askren a "Ho" for wanting to clear the air with Anthony Pettis
Chris Taylor - August 17, 2019
Jorge Masvidal may have knocked out Ben Askren in record-setting time at UFC 239, but that clearly has not put an end to their rivalry. Earlier today, video footage was leaked of Askren’s longtime friend and training partner Anthony Pettis telling Yoel Romero he was happy to see ‘Gamebred’ win at last month’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas.
Ben Askren reacts after video footage shows Anthony Pettis saying he was happy about Jorge Masvidal KO
Chris Taylor - August 17, 2019
UFC standouts Anthony Pettis and Ben Askren train together on a regular basis at Roufusport Gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So it came as big surprise to many, including Askren, when video footage leaked of Pettis telling Yoel Romero that he was happy to see Jorge Masvidal win at UFC 239.
Jorge Masvidal responds to Ben Askren's request for a 'thank you'
Chris Taylor - August 10, 2019
Jorge Masvidal squared off against Ben Askren on the main card of UFC 239 in what was considered to be the most highly anticipated bout of the evening. Masvidal entered the fight looking to build off the momentum of his sensational knockout victory over Darren Till at March’s UFC event in London.
Ben Askren responds to critics suggesting Demian Maia fight will be boring
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2019
Ben Askren will return to the Octagon later this year to take on Demian Maia. Askren was hoping to earn a title shot with a win in his latest fight at UFC 239. Unfortunately, for “Funky” a Jorge Masvidal flying knee ruined those plans. But, as a consolation prize, when he takes on Maia, Askren will be headlining his first UFC event.
Ben Askren believes Jorge Masvidal should probably be thanking him
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2019
Ben Askren is very disappointed that he was knocked out by Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239, but he’s managed to find a silver lining in this abrupt defeat. He believes he helped Masvidal become rich and popular in a way that he never would have been had they not fought. For that, he believes he’s owed a ‘thank you’ — although he doesn’t seem to expect to get one.
Ben Askren says he 'messed up' his life goal after KO loss to Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - August 5, 2019
It has been a month since Ben Askren suffered his first professional loss to Jorge Masvidal. There, he was knocked out by a flying knee in just five seconds. Now, looking back on the loss, Askren still can’t believe it happened and is still upset as he says he ruined his life goal of being the best fighter ever.
Ben Askren and Demian Maia verbally agree to fight at UFC Singapore
Chris Taylor - August 3, 2019
Perennial UFC welterweight contenders Ben Askren and Demian Maia have verbally agreed to meet at October’s UFC Singapore event. The former Bellator and ONE champion, Askren (19-1 MMA), took to Twitter where he asked the Brazilian submission specialist if he was “in” for an October 26 showdown in Singapore.
Colby Covington believes Ben Askren gets 'his walking papers' if he loses to Demian Maia
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Colby Covington and Ben Askren do not like each other to say the least. They trade shots at one another in interviews and “Chaos” believes “Funky” will be released if he loses his next fight. Ben Askren is coming off of a knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in five seconds. He is now rumored to fight Demain Maia after his medical suspension is up, which Covington believes is a fight “Funky” losses.
Colby Covington to Ben Askren: I think we need new best friends
Christopher Taylor - July 26, 2019
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington believes he and Ben Askren need to find some ‘new best friends’. Covington recently took to Twitter where he shared the following photo of Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley.
Dan Hardy thinks Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia is 'fascinating fight'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 25, 2019
Dan Hardy believes a potential matchup between Ben Askren and Demian Maia is quite intriguing. Askren is coming off the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career. He was knocked out in five seconds courtesy of Jorge Masvidal’s flying knee. This set a record for the fastest knockout in UFC history. Meanwhile, Maia is coming off a majority decision victory over Anthony Rocco Martin.
Kevin Lee: Ben Askren is 'easiest fight out of anybody'
Mike Heck - July 18, 2019
Kevin Lee certainly doesn’t see a scenario where a matchup with Ben Askren would be all that competitive. Now that “The Motown Phenom” has had a taste of the welterweight division — and with plans to stay at 170-pounds — a fight between him and Askren is something that could be on the table. With both fighters coming off of a loss, the matchup certainly makes sense. Sprinkle in some back-and-forth at the UFC 236 seasonal press conference and you have a storyline to build off of.
Tito Ortiz thinks Ben Askren is most overrated UFC fighter
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 17, 2019
Tito Ortiz doesn’t appear to think too highly of Ben Askren. Askren entered the UFC with a ton of hype. Having won Bellator and ONE Championship gold and being a former Olympic wrestler, many thought “Funky” had a good shot at success on the biggest mixed martial arts stage. There’s still time for Askren to make his mark, but a devastating flying knee KO defeat to Jorge Masvidal has at least served as a bump in the road.
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.
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 Jr. - July 12, 2019
Chael Sonnen is impressed with the way Ben Askren has faced the music. Askren entered the UFC with substantial hype. He was part of the UFC’s trade with ONE Championship. In exchange for Demetrious Johnson, Askren was sent over to the most recognized mixed martial arts promotion. “Funky” had a successful, albeit controversial, debut against Robbie Lawler back in March. He submitted Lawler in the first round. In his second UFC bout, Askren was flattened in a record-setting five seconds via flying knee courtesy of Jorge Masvidal.