Tag: Ben Askren

It looks like there’s a very real possibility that Ben Askren doesn’t compete in mixed martial arts (MMA) competition again.

Askren joined “The Ariel Helwani MMA Show” today (Mon. October 28, 2019) to comment after his loss over the weekend to Demian Maia. When asked about whether or not he’s considering retirement, “Funky” admitted that the option is on the table.

“I mean, retirement is definitely something I’m considering,” Askren said. “I would be lying to you if I said I was not. It’s time-cross analysis, I have a lot of things I want to do with my life, I’m a really busy guy, I have a lot of things I’m passionate about and I love. Not training specifically, but to and from setting stuff up. Spending, say, 30 hours a week on MMA-related stuff. Can I place my time better somewhere else?

“It’s definitely a thought process that has crossed my mind. That being said – two more things, if I may. All I wanted was an opportunity, that’s all I ever said I wanted. And I got my opportunity, so it’d be hard to be bitter or disgruntled in any way because I had the opportunity I wanted.

“I have not been able to execute on that opportunity, and that’s on me. So that is kind of one thought process, and the other thought process is, yeah, part of me wants to fight more.”

As for whether or not he believes he’s one of the best in the world at welterweight right now, Askren admits that he’s probably not, however, he does believe the path to getting back into that mix is there.

“I was having a conversation with a friend this morning about this specific topic, and they come from a wrestling background as well,” Askren said. “The funny thing about wrestling is, every year we know. The college level, there’s the conference championships, there’s the NCAA championships. At the world level there’s the U.S. Open, there’s the trials, and then there’s the World Championships.

“So every single year, we get to know who the best is, and there’s that really good structure. And with MMA, number one, not always the best guy gets the title shot. There’s a big popularity factor in there. And number two, the outcomes are so variable. MMA is way different. I was winning the first 12 and a half minutes of that fight, and then I jacked it up in the last minute, I totally lost.

“And so, obviously, it’s been proven that today, or Saturday night, or July 6, I was definitely not the best in the world. But is there other ways I can beat everybody in my division? I think the answer is, yes. I just have not proven that yet. So I guess I’ll say for this time, no, I am not, but is there a path where I am? I think the answer to that is still yes.”

Askren was traded to the UFC from ONE Championship last year for Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. He made his debut earlier this year with a controversial submission win over Robbie Lawler. In his second bout, Askren was the victim of the fastest knockout in UFC history, eating a vicious flying knee from Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in five seconds.

Over the weekend, Askren made his return in the UFC Singapore main event, but ultimately lost to Demian Maia via third-round submission despite a tremendous back-and-forth on the ground. It will be interesting to see if Askren decides to fight again. And if he does, who the Las Vegas-based promotion matches him up against.

Do you think Askren will ultimately decide to retire on his two-fight losing streak?

The post Ben Askren Admits He’s Considering Retirement From MMA appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

UFC Singapore took place over the weekend, featuring an exciting grappling affair between two of the world’s best. Welterweights Demian Maia and Ben Askren went head-to-head to determine who the best grappler in the UFC truly is.

When it was all said and done, Maia picked up a third-round submission victory by way of a rear-naked choke, after some fun scrambles on the mat. Now, the UFC Singapore Reebok payouts have been released, courtesy of MMA Junkie. Check out what fighters got paid to represent the brand on their way out to the Octagon.

UFC Singapore Reebok Payouts

• Demian Maia: $20,000 def. Ben Askren: $3,500
• Stevie Ray: $10,000 def. Michael Johnson: $20,000
• Beneil Dariush: $15,000 def. Frank Camacho: $5,000
• Ciryl Gane: $3,500 def. Don’Tale Mayes: $3,500
• Muslim Salikhov: $4,000 def. Laureano Staropoli: $3,500
• Randa Markos: $10,000 def. Ashley Yoder: $5,000
• Rafael Fiziev: $3,500 def. Alex White: $5,000
• Movsar Evloev: $3,500 def. Enrique Barzola: $5,000
• Sergei Pavlovich: $3,500 def. Maurice Greene: $4,000
• Loma Lookboonmee: $3,500 def. Aleksandra Albu: $4,000
• Raphael Pessoa: $3,500 def. Jeff Hughes: $3,500

What do you make of the UFC Singapore Reebok payouts?

The post UFC Singapore Reebok Payouts: Demian Maia Tops List appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

In the main event of UFC Singapore yesterday (Sat. October 26, 2019), Demian Maia pulled off a big submission win over Ben Askren. After some fun grappling exchanges for the first few rounds, Maia was able to lock in a deep rear-naked choke towards the end of the third round.

Askren was rendered unconscious, awarding the Brazilian the submission win. Now, Maia is sneaking back into the title hunt with a win over “Funky” He took to Instagram to release a classy statement after his big win. Here’s what he had to say.

“Thank you all very much for the support, and for the countless kind messages I received! Last night meant a lot to me, cause it’s no secret that representing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu it’s more than a mission for me, it’s a life long choice that I made. You don’t represent a martial art only by fighting, let alone winning, you do it day by day, trough the examples we set and the legacy we leave for other people.

“I feel privileged to be able to deliver my best and represent our martial art. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you @benaskren as well, for the fight and for giving me the opportunity to challenge myself and continue to seek my evolution. He is a very high-level athlete, a U.S. National Champ in Wrestling, and a former Olympic athlete.

“I have a lot of respect for him, and to compete against him was a challenge that drove us to our max, seeking new alternatives and ideas to develop a different strategy, revisiting techniques and changing habits. It was a privilege to have had this opportunity, and I still intend to one day have also the privilege to train a bit with him.”

It will be interesting to see who Maia and Askren are matched up with moving forward.

What do you think about Maia’s comments after his UFC Singapore win?

The post Demian Maia Releases Classy Statement After Ben Askren Victory appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.