Askren: Usman ‘fought like a b-tch’ at UFC 235

It appears that Ben Askren wasn’t impressed with Kamaru Usman’s title win over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235.

Kamaru Usman outstruck and outgrappled Tyron Woodley at UFC 235, but that wasn’t enough to impress Ben Askren.

Askren said in a tweet Saturday night that Usman — whom Askren, of course, referred to as “Marty” — “fought like a b-tch” in his dominant title win over Woodley. Askren trains with Woodley at Roufusport in Milwaukee.

Askren and Usman have repeatedly gone back and forth ever since Askren signed with the UFC late last year. They are familiar with each other from their wrestling days. (Askren has talked trash about the majority of the top welterweights, for what it is worth.)

Usman vs. Woodley served as the co-headliner of the pay-per-view event, which took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. On the same card, Askren made his long-awaited UFC debut, defeating former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler by submission.

Usman ragdolled Woodley for five rounds, not giving the now-former champion any room to work or simply breathe. Usman was able to get “The Chosen One” down to the ground several times, and even landed some good strikes on the feet, too, especially closer to the end of the fight. Usman nearly finished Woodley by TKO in the fourth round, but Woodley ultimately survived to see the scorecards.

Two of three judges gave Usman a 10-8 round. With the win, Usman extended his UFC record to 10-0. He earned the title shot with a November win over Rafael dos Anjos, as well as a May win over Demian Maia.

Usman is expected to defend his title for the first time against Colby Covington. A card and date has not yet been finalized for that fight.

Woodley lost for the first time since a June 2014 defeat to current Bellator champ Rory MacDonald.

Askren’s fight against Lawler ended in controversial fashion. Lawler slammed Askren and landed hellish ground-and-pound early in the first round, but Askren ultimately survived and started to close the distance against “Ruthless.” Askren caught Lawler in a choke, and Lawler’s arm appeared to go limp, causing referee Herb Dean to end the fight. Lawler was not actually unconscious, however, and immediately protested the stop.