Ben Askren News
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.
Chael Sonnen explains why the UFC should have no regrets over trading Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren
Susan Cox - September 2, 2022
Chael Sonnen is explaining why the UFC should have no regrets over trading Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren. It was almost four years ago that the UFC made a cross-promotion trade, sending Demetrious Johnson to ONE Championship in return for Ben Askren. In 2018 the agreement was reached between the UFC and Singapore’s ONE Championship which saw the first trade between the two MMA promotions.
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 reacts after Jorge Masvidal tries to clarify previous threat of ending his bloodline: “Is this an apology or what is this?”
Susan Cox - March 25, 2022
Ben Askren has reacted after Jorge Masvidal attempted to clarify a previous threat he had made about ending his bloodline. It was Ben Askren (19-2 MMA) vs Jorge Masvidal (35-16 MMA) at UFC 239 back in July of 2019. In the fastest and perhaps most violent knockout in the history of the UFC, it was ‘Gamebred’ who came out victorious at the 0:05 mark of the opening round.
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:
Ben Askren irritated by Jorge Masvidal's comments about fighting Colby Covington post-fight: "You had 25 minutes"
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2022
Ben Askren is seemingly not a fan of Jorge Masvidal’s post-fight comments about Colby Covington. ‘Gamebred’ met ‘Chaos’ in the main event of UFC 272 last weekend. Covington dominated the bout with his wrestling, surviving a fourth-round scare from Masvidal to win a unanimous decision. Following the fight, both men continued to trade words and taunt each other.
Jorge Masvidal reveals tattoo of iconic knockout of Ben Askren, 'Funky' responds: "What a stupid logo"
Josh Evanoff - March 4, 2022
Jorge Masvidal revealed a tattoo of his iconic knockout of Ben Askren and ‘Funky’ has since responded. ‘Gamebred’ is set to fight this weekend at UFC 272 against friend-turned-foe Colby Covington. This morning at the weigh-ins, the welterweight star revealed some new ink on his shoulder.
Ben Askren calls out Nate Diaz for UFC fight: "Would be happy to be the last fight on his contract"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren called out Nate Diaz for a UFC fight, saying he “would be happy to be the last fight on his contract.” Askren retired from the UFC after losing to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia citing lingering injury issues. Following his retirement, Askren returned to combat sports in boxing, having been knocked out by Jake Paul earlier this year. Since then, we have not heard much from Askren in regards to fighting again. But it appears as though “Funky” is interested in a return to combat sports, only this time in the UFC, and he has a specific opponent in mind.
Ben Askren on once being a part of Joe Rogan's MMA GOAT list: "I would never expect anyone to think of me that way."
Christopher Taylor - November 21, 2021
Ben Askren was once considered one of the greatest MMA fighters in the world, even finding a spot on Joe Rogan’s GOAT list. This was of course prior to ‘Funky’ making his Octagon debut in 2019, when he sported a perfect professional record of 18-0 and had captured championships in both Bellator and ONE.
Ben Askren responds to suggestion that he serve as the next opponent for Nick Diaz: "Don’t tempt me with a good time and an easy pay check"
Christopher Taylor - September 26, 2021
Ben Askren has responded to the suggestion that he serve as the next opponent for UFC star Nick Diaz. Diaz (26-10 MMA) returned to action from a six year hiatus Saturday night at UFC 266 in hopes of defeating Robbie Lawler for a second time. The pair had originally collided seventeen years ago in a welterweight bout at UFC 47, with the Stockton native emerging victorious by way of second round knockout.
Ben Askren reacts to Jake Paul defeating Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2021
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren reacted to Jake Paul defeating his longtime friend and teammate Tyron Woodley in their recent boxing match. Askren, of course, fought Paul back in April and he was TKOed quickly in the first round. Following that fight, Woodley — Askren’s longtime teammate — got into a rivalry with Paul that culminated in them fighting this past Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio, with Paul taking home a narrow split decision over the former UFC welterweight champion. While most thought Paul did enough to win the fight, Askren believes that Woodley deserved the nod.
Ben Askren says he will "feel much better" about his loss if Jake Paul defeats Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - August 26, 2021
Ben Askren admitted he was embarrassed he got knocked out by Jake Paul but says he will feel better about it if the YouTuber defeats Tyron Woodley. In the main event of the Showtime boxing pay-per-view on Sunday in Cleveland, Paul is putting his undefeated record on the line as he takes on Woodley. It’s an intriguing matchup as Paul knocked out Woodley’s friend and training partner in Askren back in April.
Triller files lawsuit against illegal streamers for Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren, claim $100 million in damages
Cole Shelton - April 26, 2021
Triller, like many combat sports promotions, is going after illegal streamers in the form of a lawsuit. Yahoo! Sports was the first to report the news that Triller filed in the U.S. District Court in central California.
Ben Askren reacts to Jorge Masvidal getting knocked out: "I don't believe in karma"
Adam D Martin - April 25, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren reacted to seeing Jorge Masvidal get brutally knocked out by Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 261. Masvidal was caught clean with a straight right hand out of hell from Usman in the main event of UFC 261, and he was knocked out by follow-up punches on the ground. It was the first time we have seen Masvidal get knocked out in the UFC and it was just the second time in his entire MMA career that he was stopped with strikes after Rodrigo Damm did it in Sengoku over a decade ago. Masvidal is known for having an iron chin and being nearly impossible to put away, but as Usman showed at UFC 261, anyone can get finished.