Ben Askren
19-2-0
About
Olympic wrestler and former Bellator/ONE champion who brought elite grappling and unorthodox "funky" style to the UFC before two brutal losses in 2019 derailed his title run.
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Ben Askren is an Olympic wrestler and former champion of two major MMA promotions who arrived in the UFC with a spotless 19-0 record and immediate credibility. A two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner at Missouri and 2008 US Olympic Team member, Askren built his reputation as the longest-reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion and later as the longest-reigning ONE Welterweight Champion, relying on an elite grappling base and an unconventional "funky" wrestling style defined by scrambling, top control, and submission prowess. His unorthodox positioning and technical mastery allowed him to dominate opponents across multiple promotions for over a decade.
When Askren finally joined the UFC in March 2019, he wasted no time, submitting Robbie Lawler with a bulldog choke in the first round and immediately positioning himself as a legitimate threat to the welterweight title picture. However, his UFC tenure proved brief and turbulent. Just four months later, at UFC 239, Jorge Masvidal knocked him out with a flying knee just 5 seconds into their fight, one of the fastest KOs in UFC history and a shock that exposed serious vulnerabilities in Askren's striking defense and fight entry. He fought back against grappling legend Demian Maia in October 2019 but lost via rear-naked choke in the third round, finishing his UFC run at 1-2 and ending his title ambitions.
Askren's fighting style relied almost exclusively on elite wrestling and grappling; when opponents neutralized his wrestling or he was caught standing, his limitations became glaring. Yet his legacy as a technical grappler and Olympic-caliber wrestler remains legitimate, and his larger-than-life personality, self-deprecating humor, and willingness to talk has kept him relevant in combat sports. He retired from MMA in 2020 and has since moved into professional boxing, commentary, and wrestling ambassador work. While his UFC run disappointed those expecting dominance, Askren's wrestling pedigree and years of success at the highest levels of Bellator and ONE ensure he remains a respected if polarizing figure in MMA history.
Why fans love Askren
Olympic wrestler with genuine heavyweight grappling credentials and a truly unorthodox "funky" style that upended traditional wrestling technique. His NCAA and international wrestling resume is legitimate, and his dominance in Bellator and ONE proved he was elite outside the UFC. His self-deprecating humor and willingness to talk trash in interviews also endear him to fans who appreciate his personality.
Why some fans hate Askren
His striking defense proved inadequate at the elite UFC level, leading to the shock loss to Masvidal, which some saw as overconfidence or poor fight IQ given the risk of his aggressive entry. His brief UFC run (1-2) felt like a letdown after years of hype, and some fans view his legacy in MMA as incomplete or inflated by his dominance in smaller promotions. His tendency to talk up his own legacy in interviews has occasionally rubbed some the wrong way as perceived arrogance.
