Ben Askren was successful in his UFC debut against former champ Robbie Lawler at last weekend’s (Sat., March 2, 2019) UFC 235 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the submission win was shrouded in controversy due to its questionable finish.
‘Ruthless’ shook off an early takedown from Askren to lift ‘Funky’ high into the air. He slammed him on his head and opened up with an onslaught of vicious strikes to the point it looked like Askren was done. But referee Herb Dean let the action continue and Askren somehow survived. He locked on a bulldog choke against the fence. It was on tight, and Lawler’s arm appeared to go limp shortly after.
Dean called the fight, only to see a conscious Lawler immediately argue. Replays later showed that “Ruthless” was perhaps not out after all. The former UFC champ was all class afterward, refusing to make excuses. He did, however, call out for an immediate rematch. UFC President Dana White agreed with the booking and of course, fans did as well. About the only involved party who didn’t want to run it back was Askren.
Askren Stirs It Up Again
Askren appeared on today’s episode of “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show” to discuss his next bout. While he’s teased fighting the winner of the Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal UFC London headliner, he upped the stakes and claimed it made ‘the most sense’ if he fought new champ Kamaru Usman for the championship next. Colby Covington is next in line, but ‘Funky’ said he can fight former champion Tyron Woodley, who lost to Usman at UFC 235:
Following a questionable debut – even in victory – like his, it’s tough to imagine Askren earns a title shot for that performance. He’s certainly put his name in the mix by defeating Lawler, and the controversy helped in a big way. But it also made his victory so unsatisfying and unresolved, meaning the scenario is the rare case when an immediate rematch is fully justified.
White seems dead set on booking it, but we’ll see what he comes up with. Askren may not agree to the rematch. If so, he’s almost definitely not getting the title shot he claims ‘makes the most sense.’
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