By The Numbers: Ben Askren
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Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler takes place on March 2, 2019. That’s a little less than a month of waiting for one of the most intriguing fights the Ultimate Fighting Championship has ever mounted. On one end, you have a former UFC champion with a straightforward brawling style and on the other, someone who is probably the best at capitalizing on his strengths.
Both men have not fought since 2017. In fact, Askren retired after
defeating Shinya Aoki
at One Championship: Immortal Pursuit. Now back and ready to add
another world title to his name, he will face off against Lawler at
UFC 235. Get to know more about “Funky” through this by-the-numbers
report.
87: Match winning streak in college. A dominant force from high school to college, Askren won numerous championships, including the NCAA title twice and received countless awards, including the Dan Hodge Trophy, Rev Wrestler of the Year and the Schalles Award. He ended his collegiate career with an impressive 153-8 record, with 91 victories coming by fall.
3: Fights in regional promotions before getting signed by Bellator MMA. With a rich wrestling background, it was only a matter of time before a big organization like Bellator took him under its wing. But with three finishes in as many fights, “Funky” has surely proven his mettle.
9: Fights in Bellator. Askren continued his winning ways at the Santa Monica, California-based promotion, lodging nine straight victors and taking the welterweight belt. He also won the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament.
5: Full rounds with Lyman Good to capture the Bellator welterweight championship. Askren successfully defended it from Jay Hieron, Douglas Lima, Karl Amoussou and Andrey Koreshkov. He then vacated the title when he decided to move to One Championship.
7: Fights at One Championship, where he faced the promotion’s toughest welterweights such as Nobutatsu Suzuki, Luis Santos, Zebaztian Kadestam and Aoki. Askren took the title after beating Suzuki by TKO and defended it three times.
57: Seconds to stop Aoki. In his last fight in One Championship, Askren defeated the revered Japanese grappler by TKO. It was his third title defense, after which he was shipped to the UFC.
6: Years as a world champion. Askren was the Bellator welterweight champion from Oct. 21, 2010, to July 31, 2013, and the One Championship welterweight titleholder from Aug. 29, 2014, to Nov. 24, 2017.
6: Countries in which he has fought. Askren has graced events held in the United States, Canada, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Philippines and China.
34: Years old and on a mission to earn a UFC title. Askren was born in Hartland, Wisconsin on July 18, 1984. He spent his secondary education at Arrowhead High School and college at the University of Missouri. He was a star wrestler at both schools.
Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler takes place on March 2, 2019. That’s a little less than a month of waiting for one of the most intriguing fights the Ultimate Fighting Championship has ever mounted. On one end, you have a former UFC champion with a straightforward brawling style and on the other, someone who is probably the best at capitalizing on his strengths.
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87: Match winning streak in college. A dominant force from high school to college, Askren won numerous championships, including the NCAA title twice and received countless awards, including the Dan Hodge Trophy, Rev Wrestler of the Year and the Schalles Award. He ended his collegiate career with an impressive 153-8 record, with 91 victories coming by fall.
85: Seconds was all he needed to notch his first professional MMA
victory. In Askren’s debut at HP: The Patriot Act, he displayed
some decent standup game, winning by TKO over Josh
Flowers.
3: Fights in regional promotions before getting signed by Bellator MMA. With a rich wrestling background, it was only a matter of time before a big organization like Bellator took him under its wing. But with three finishes in as many fights, “Funky” has surely proven his mettle.
9: Fights in Bellator. Askren continued his winning ways at the Santa Monica, California-based promotion, lodging nine straight victors and taking the welterweight belt. He also won the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament.
5: Full rounds with Lyman Good to capture the Bellator welterweight championship. Askren successfully defended it from Jay Hieron, Douglas Lima, Karl Amoussou and Andrey Koreshkov. He then vacated the title when he decided to move to One Championship.
7: Fights at One Championship, where he faced the promotion’s toughest welterweights such as Nobutatsu Suzuki, Luis Santos, Zebaztian Kadestam and Aoki. Askren took the title after beating Suzuki by TKO and defended it three times.
57: Seconds to stop Aoki. In his last fight in One Championship, Askren defeated the revered Japanese grappler by TKO. It was his third title defense, after which he was shipped to the UFC.
6: Years as a world champion. Askren was the Bellator welterweight champion from Oct. 21, 2010, to July 31, 2013, and the One Championship welterweight titleholder from Aug. 29, 2014, to Nov. 24, 2017.
6: Countries in which he has fought. Askren has graced events held in the United States, Canada, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Philippines and China.
34: Years old and on a mission to earn a UFC title. Askren was born in Hartland, Wisconsin on July 18, 1984. He spent his secondary education at Arrowhead High School and college at the University of Missouri. He was a star wrestler at both schools.
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