Ben Askren News

Christopher Taylor - September 9, 2020

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns was not happy about Ben Askren suggesting that Mixed Martial Arts is kind of boring right now. Earlier this afternoon, “Funky” took to Twitter where he shared his thoughts on the current state of MMA.

Tom Taylor - September 7, 2020

Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder Ben Askren has chimed in on the news that Nick Diaz is plotting a comeback. Diaz, the former Strikeforce welterweight champ and a former UFC welterweight title challenger, has reportedly undergone a test weight cut and is plotting a comeback in 2021. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani shared this exciting news on Sunday evening.

Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020

Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren isn’t a fan of the UFC 256 title showdown between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. It’s safe to say that “Funky” is one of the most outspoken figures in recent MMA history, and while his time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship didn’t quite go to plan, he still knows how to rile people up on social media.

Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020

As soon as he exited the operating theatre, Ben Askren took aim at Sean O’Malley, encouraging him to “toughen up a little bit.” Askren has long been suffering from a hip injury which ultimately impacted his fights against Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal, and his decision to retire in November 2019. His affliction is the collateral damage of his accomplished wrestling and MMA career which saw him climb through the ranks of Bellator and ONE Championship and perform in the Olympics.

Tom Taylor - August 19, 2020

Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion has offered a tough assessment of Sean O’Malley’s UFC 252 loss to Marlon Vera. O’Malley met Vera in the co-main event of last Saturday’s UFC 252 card. Heading into the matchup, O’Malley had never been beaten, and was regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in the UFC. In the end, however, he was stopped by a torrent of Vera punches in the first round after seemingly injuring his leg.

Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020

Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder Ben Askren doesn’t have a lot of regrets with respect to his MMA career, but there is one thing he’d do differently. Askren, who retired after going 1-2 in the UFC in 2019, was asked by a fan if there is anything he wishes he could change about his MMA journey. He issued a lengthy and thoughtful response on Twitter.

Tom Taylor - August 11, 2020

Ben Askren, never one to shy away from a Twitter skirmish, has recently been getting into it with YouTube star Logan Paul. Earlier this week, Paul issued an open challenge, offering up $10,000 to any social media influencer who can beat him in a wrestling match.

Tom Taylor - August 5, 2020

Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren says he “probably would” fight again, but the circumstances would have to be right. Askren retired in 2019, after sustaining back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia—a knockout and a submission respectively. In his retirement announcement, he cited a need for a hip replacement.

Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2020

Ben Askren recently reflected on his infamous KO loss at the hands of Jorge Masvidal. He admitted the final punches Masvidal administered weren’t “super necessary” but were at least “kinda funny”. The “BMF” winner, Masvidal is preparing to face off against the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 251 this weekend on UFC Fight Island. The anticipated matchup comes after a long list of career triumphs for “Gamebred”.

Harry Kettle - July 9, 2020

Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren has said he isn’t surprised by the recent actions of controversial UFC fighter Mike Perry. Footage emerged last night of Perry, who recently beat Mickey Gall in a decisive unanimous decision, getting into a fight with a man before going on a verbal tirade to both those in attendance and his girlfriend.

Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020

Ben Askren believes he played a major part in Jorge Masvidal’s rise to superstardom. After “Gamebred” knocked out Darren Till in the main event of UFC London, “Funky” was taking shots at Masvidal to try and get him to accept the fight. After several jabs, it worked and the two fought at UFC 239 where it was expected the winner would get a title shot.

Natasha Hooper - July 6, 2020

Ben Askren has reacted to the news of his former opponent Jorge Masvidal’s upcoming fight against Kamaru Usman. On Sunday it was announced that the UFC welterweight champion Usman and the ‘BMF’ winner Masvidal will collide at Saturday’s UFC 251 event on Dana White’s Fight Island.

Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020

Ben Askren backs Jon Jones as he suspects the UFC is not paying him what he is worth. Jon Jones’ relationship with the UFC and its president, Dana White, has been tainted over a possible clash against Francis Ngannou. The light heavyweight champion has shared his interest in moving up a weight division to face the heavy-hitter. Ngannou has also shown mutual interest in the blockbuster bout.

Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020

Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren recently shared the names of the fighters he believes belong in the GOAT debate in MMA, but his list did not include former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor. 7 People in discussion for MMA GOAT. Some have much better cases than others, but all have cases. Fedor and BJ would have had cases had they retired earlier.

Natasha Hooper - May 26, 2020

Ben Askren has named the top 7 fighters he thinks could all make a case for the GOAT of MMA. The “Greatest Of All Time” fighter in MMA has been a hot topic of discussion recently after Conor McGregor named his top picks. “The Notorious” listed Anderson Silva as the number 1 GOAT, following himself who he listed behind in close second. Read his full MMA GOAT rankings below.

Chris Taylor - May 20, 2020

Former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren recently shared his theory on why fight fans have not seen Arianny Celeste working recent UFC events. The longtime Octagon girl, Celeste, was absent from all three of the promotions recent events in Jacksonville, Florida.

Cole Shelton - April 15, 2020

Ben Askren is retired from competing in mixed martial artists and wrestling but he still isn’t done trash-talking. Askren became massively popular in his UFC run for his ability to trash-talk his first two opponents in Robbie Lawler and Jorge Masvidal. Although “Funky” is retired, one of his wrestling rivals in Jordan Burroughs is still taking shots at the former Bellator and ONE champion.

Adam D Martin - April 12, 2020

Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren wonders that WWE superstar Ronda Rousey works on being unlikeable as part of her personality. Rousey has come under fire in recent days for her comments on professional wrestling, saying that they don’t participate in real fights as MMA fighters do. She also criticized wrestling fans, as well. Several WWE superstars defended themselves against Rousey’s comments, and fans weren’t happy with her remarks, either. Askren, no stranger to trash talk himself, wonders if Rousey is doing this on purpose.