Ben Askren is officially a UFC fighter, and if you think he was going to enter the organization quietly, then you’ve another coming.
“Funky” has signed as part of an historic trade deal, the likes of which has never before been seen in MMA.
The UFC get Askren, whilst long-time dominant flyweight champion, Demetrius Johnson jumps ship over to ONE championship.
The Arizona based wrestler has put everyone on blast since news broke of his signing. So far he has called out; Darren Till, Nick Diaz, Colby Covington, Mike Perry among many, many more UFC stars.
Askren is regarded as the best fighter to have never fought inside the UFC Octagon, a title he very much deserves alongside Fedor Emelianenko given his undefeated record.
And @NateDiaz209 you can’t keep waiting on your sugar daddy @TheNotoriousMMA to make you some more money. If big bro lets you out of the house and your feeling funky holler at me
— Funky (@Benaskren) October 26, 2018
His arrival in the UFC has put everyone on notice, and a highly touted match up with pound for pound great, Georges St. Pierre looks to be the biggest fight to make.
However, the Olympian is eyeing up another fight first before he tackles GSP. Askren wants Khabib Numagomedov in his promotional debut at a catch weight of 165lbs.
Ben Askren was a guest on Ariel Helwani’s MMA show yesterday where he spoke about the possibility of fighting Khabib at a catch weight, as he himself cannot make the 155lb lightweight limit.
“I cannot make 155 (pounds).
“I made 163 for the Olympic team, that was really tough. I had to live a lifestyle to make that weight class. I was really skinny, it was a real challenge for me. So, I can’t even imagine another eight pounds.”
Askren reckons that a 165lb fight would suit Khabib has he has also struggled to make weight in the past.
“That being said, I heard he’s big. Obviously he’s missed weight once or twice, so obviously that’s a challenge for him. I think if you asked him he would probably say 165lbs is a great weight class for him also.”
The former world champion claimed that Khabib moving up to fight him would free up Conor McGregor to retain his lightweight title, something that he thinks benefits everyone involved.
“It’s Khabib then George. I would say 165. Then they would have a reason to give McGregor a belt again, it’s fantastic, everybody wins Ariel. I’m creating win, win, win.
“I just got Conor McGregor another belt. BOOM!”
There you have it, Askren is planning on fighting Khabib, and helping out Conor McGregor in the process.
