Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Dillon Danis certainly stirs the pot when it isn’t needed, but his most recent social media post involving Anthony Pettis and Ben Askren may actually hold some water.
The post in question is a recent video involving Pettis and fellow UFC 241 participant, Yoel Romero, during a backstage encounter earlier this week. Pettis is seen asking how Romero’s teammate, Jorge Masvidal, is doing. “Showtime” then explains how he was happy to see Masvidal earn his recent five-second knockout finish over Askren last month at UFC 239 (see it HERE).
Check out the video below courtesy of Danis via Twitter:
you need some new friends @Benaskren wtf ??? pic.twitter.com/7HtPo2JmNR
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) August 16, 2019
“How is Jorge doing?” Pettis asked Romero. “Good for him bro. I was happy to see that. You know that’s my teammate man but that was one beautiful ass knockout.”
While it seems like a harmless conversation between two fighters gearing up for their respective wars this weekend at UFC 241, there’s so much more going on here. That’s probably because Pettis and Askren have trained alongside each other for years as members of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Presumably friends, this really isn’t the best way for Pettis to discuss Askren’s gnarly loss to Masvidal just one month ago.
Taking offense to “Showtime’s” comments, Askren posted the following message to Pettis earlier today:
I agree Dillon this is unacceptable. @Showtimepettis and I aren’t bffs but I thought we had a respect and kinship where feelings and statements like this did not happen. I hope Anthony can clear this up and make his feelings transparent. I don’t need fake friends. https://t.co/SW1dBZoV8m
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 17, 2019
“I agree Dillon this is unacceptable,” wrote Askren via Twitter. “Anthony Pettis and I aren’t bffs but I thought we had a respect and kinship where feelings and statements like this did not happen. I hope Anthony can clear this up and make his feelings transparent. I don’t need fake friends.”
After catching wind of Askren’s comment to Pettis, Masvidal stepped in to make sure “Funky” knew his timing was off.
You’re a great friend Ben asking someone to clear the air up the day of their fight and waste brain power on your feelings #onceahoalwaysaho #supernecessary https://t.co/WZoHwCGbDm
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) August 17, 2019
“You’re a great friend Ben asking someone to clear the air up the day of their fight and waste brain power on your feelings,” wrote Masvidal via Twitter.
We really don’t know how close of a friendship the two fighters have outside of training with one another, but Pettis certainly didn’t do any favors for Askren in his discussion with Romero. It’s the last thing Pettis wants to worry about as he gets ready to take on Nate Diaz in the co-main event later tonight at UFC 241, but he’s going to have to hash this out with “Funky” when the weekend dust settles.
What say you, Maniacs? Was Pettis out of line for these comments about Askren’s recent knockout loss?
Sound off!