Like many MMA fans, Ben Askren enjoyed the fast-paced brawl between Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit at UFC 154.
But during an interview with Bloody Elbow, Bellator’s undefeated champion opined that the highly anticipated title fight at UFC 154 looked exciting more because of Condit’s never-say-die offense from his back—not GSP’s dominant top game:
You know, it was good, but I think people are giving GSP a lot of credit, but I actually think it was [Condit] that made the fight. He was just so active and aggressive in every position. Even when he was on his back, he was still fighting really hard. Had he just laid there, it probably would have been another of those like GSP has had recently.
Askren’s critique of UFC talent didn’t stop with the welterweight champion, taking some time to give his thoughts on the upcoming B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald fight. Although Askren acknowledged that he was pulling for Penn due to personal bias, he’s also not a fan of “Ares” and his fashion sense:
Well, I don’t really wear much else other than sweat pants and a T-shirt or jeans and a T-shirt. It’s the whole thing with [Rory]. He puts so much effort in the look that he wants everyone to see. I just think that’s kind of goofy. I’m not too much into new fashion stuff, but I wouldn’t be caught dead…you couldn’t pay me enough to wear an outfit like he wears.
Although Askren is eight months removed from his last fight at Bellator 64—a successful title defense against Douglas Lima—the champ has been busy. Askren is cited as a popular training partner for people trying to emulate St-Pierre and MacDonald, with Condit and Penn turning to the Bellator champion for his wrestling prowess.
Check out the full interview at Bloody Elbow, where Askren also talks about the “frustrating” wait for his next opponent and speculated on the now-past Lyman Good vs. Andrey Koreshkov match at Bellator 82, which Koreshkov won by unanimous decision.
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