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Ben Askren

Ben Askren
Askren in 2018
BornBenjamin Michael Askren
(1984-07-18) July 18, 1984 (age 40)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
NicknameFunky
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)[1]
DivisionCruiserweight (boxing)
Middleweight / Welterweight (MMA) [a]
Reach72 in (183 cm)[2]
StyleWrestling
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofHartland, Wisconsin, U.S.
TeamRoufusport (2009–present)[3]
Evolve MMA (2014–2017)
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[5]
Olympic Freestyle Wrestling[6]
Years active2005–2010, 2013–2015, 2019 (freestyle wrestling)
2009–2019 (MMA)
2021 (boxing)
Professional boxing record
Total1
Wins0
By knockout0
Losses1
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins19
By knockout6
By submission6
By decision7
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1
No contests1
Other information
UniversityUniversity of Missouri
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Men's freestyle wrestling
Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2005 Guatemala City 84 kg
Men's Grappling
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Fort Lauderdale 84 kg (No-Gi)
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Missouri Tigers
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Oklahoma City 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2007 Auburn Hills 174 lb
Silver medal – second place 2004 St. Louis 174 lb
Silver medal – second place 2005 St. Louis 174 lb
Big 12 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Ames 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2006 Ames 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2007 Columbia 174 lb
Silver medal – second place 2005 Omaha 174 lb

Benjamin Michael Askren[7] (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer[8] and Olympic wrestler.[9] He was the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion, remaining undefeated for over a decade before competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

An accomplished grappler, he was a 2008 US Olympic Team Member and National champion in freestyle wrestling. He also was the 2005 Pan American champion as a freestyle wrestler. In college, Askren was a two–time NCAA Division I national champion (four–time finalist), and three–time Big 12 Conference champion (four–time finalist) for the Missouri Tigers, and was the second wrestler to secure multiple Dan Hodge Trophies (the wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy) in folkstyle wrestling. He was also a world champion in submission wrestling.[10][11][12]

Wrestling career

[edit]

Early career and folkstyle

[edit]

Askren was introduced to the sport of wrestling by his father Chuck at age six, but only took the sport seriously when he started the sixth grade and joined a club.[13] During high school, he became a two–time WIAA state champion out of Arrowhead High School in Wisconsin.[14] Nationally, he placed at multiple US National tournaments in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman.[15]

In college, Askren wrestled for the Missouri Tigers at 174 pounds, where he was teammates with future UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley and future Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler.[16] During his freshman campaign (2003–2004), Askren won the Big 12 Conference Championships and placed second at the NCAA Championships, with both matches being against standout from Oklahoma State Chris Pendleton. During his sophomore campaign (2004–2005), Askren placed second at both the NCAA and Big 12 Championships, losing both championship matches to Pendleton.[17] After being a runner–up for half of his career, Askren shined as a junior and a senior, becoming the third athlete to ever earn the Dan Hodge Trophy in multiple occasions, as he received the award in both seasons after compiling a combined 87–0 record.[17] Throughout his career, Askren defeated multiple NCAA champions such as Jake Herbert and Keith Gavin.[18][19] After a legendary run, Askren graduated with a 153–8 record (seven of the losses were handled by Chris Pendleton and one of them by Ryan Lange), two Dan Hodge Trophies (2006, 2007) and Schalles Awards (2006, 2007),[20] two NCAA championships, three Big 12 Championships and 91 pins, the third most in NCAA Division I history.[21][22]

One of the most dominant collegiate wrestlers of all time, Askren's "funky" style relied heavily in unorthodox scrambling techniques and was known for his pinning ability as well as his massive afro.[23][24] His peculiar and uncommon body shape for a wrestler allowed him to complete moves that his competition could not, thus constantly putting them in awkward positions.[25] On January 9, 2012, it was announced that Askren would be one of six new inductees to the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.[26]

Freestyle

[edit]

Despite his style relying heavily in folkstyle rules, Askren was able to adapt fairly well to freestyle wrestling after his graduation from college.[27] After working on adapting his style during 2007, Askren claimed the US National Championship in April and followed up by making the US Olympic Team in June.[28] At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Askren defeated Hungarian István Veréb via fall in the first round, but fell in the quarterfinals to Cuba's Iván Fundora on points. Fundora was then defeated by Russia's Buvaisar Saitiev, thus eliminating Askren's chances of competing for a medal.[29]

Askren was then asked if inexperience in the new ruleset was a factor, but he responded; "That wasn't it," he said with tears in his eyes, "I just wasn't good enough. I sucked."[30]

Post-Olympic career

[edit]

Although Askren decided to pursue a career in MMA after the Olympics, he continued to compete in wrestling occasionally. In 2010, he avenged his Olympic loss by defeating Fundora in the semifinals of the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba. This came shortly after Askren won the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Later the same year, Askren defeated 2009 world silver medalist Jake Herbert in a folkstyle rules match at the Midlands Tournament. Askren also competed in the Agon Wrestling Championships and the Flo Premier League. In May 2019, Askren lost by technical superiority to five–time World and Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs in the annual Beat the Streets benefit event.[31]

After spending a little over a year in retirement from his MMA career, Askren announced a successful hip surgery in 2020 and revealed that he intends to return to competitive freestyle wrestling soon.[32]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Askren made his professional MMA debut on February 7, 2009.[33] It was held by Headhunter Productions at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. He defeated Josh Flowers via TKO early in the first round.[34]

Askren had his second fight at Patriot Act 2 in Columbia, Missouri. He defeated Mitchell Harris via submission by arm triangle. The fight was at a catchweight of 175 pounds.[35]

Grappling

[edit]

Askren competed at the 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship from September 26–27, in Barcelona, Spain. He won his first match against Toni Linden by arm triangle choke. He lost his second match to Pablo Popovitch, a veteran grappler he had trained with the previous summer, by figure four footlock early in the match. Popovitch went on to win the championship in the under 77 kg (169 lb) division.[36]

Askren also competed at the 2009 FILA 2° World Grappling Championship. Askren faced the 2008 World Champion, Jacob Volkmann, in the 84 kg no-gi division. Askren out-wrestled Volkmann and won gold in the category.[37]

Bellator Fighting Championships

[edit]

Askren was a participant in Bellator Fighting Championships Season 2 Welterweight Tournament.[38] In his first fight, Askren defeated Ryan Thomas via technical submission at Bellator 14 on April 15, 2010. The outcome of the fight was controversial because Thomas protested the stoppage as soon as Askren released the choke.[39]

After Jim Wallhead was pulled from the tournament, Thomas was given another chance to compete. Thomas defeated Jacob McClintock by TKO in the first round at Bellator 15 and was awarded a rematch with Askren. When the two fought at Bellator 19, Askren came out victorious again with a unanimous decision after controlling Thomas with wrestling for three rounds.[40]

At Bellator 22, Askren defeated Dan Hornbuckle via unanimous decision with his superior wrestling dominating Hornbuckle for all three rounds, becoming the Bellator Season Two Welterweight Tournament Champion.[41]

On October 21, 2010, in Philadelphia Askren took on the Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good. Despite being hit with a brutal upkick and almost getting caught in a triangle choke with one minute left, he was able to take down and control Good in every round. Askren won via unanimous decision (49–46, 48–47, and 50–45) to win the Bellator Welterweight Championship.[42]

Askren next returned at Bellator 40 to fight and defeat Nick Thompson after taking down and controlling Thompson for all three rounds. Although Askren started off quickly in the third round with a spinning back fist and several other strikes, he was caught with an overhand right by Thompson, causing Askren to take down and control Thompson for the remainder of the round. Askren went on to win by unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, and 30–27).[43]

Following his unanimous decision win over Thompson in a non-title affair at Bellator 40 in Newkirk, Oklahoma, Askren revealed that he was moving to Milwaukee to train under Duke Roufus at Roufusport.[44]

Askren successfully defended his title against season 4 welterweight tournament winner Jay Hieron at Bellator 56[45] following a close split decision.

Askren successfully defended his title against season 5 welterweight tournament winner Douglas Lima at Bellator 64 on April 6, 2012, on Good Friday at the Caesars in Windsor, Canada.[46]

Next for Askren was a title defense against Karl Amoussou,[47] the fight taking place at Bellator 86 on January 24, 2013. Askren once again used his top control wrestling to shut down his opponents grappling, and opened a cut on Amoussou's forehead with an elbow strike. The doctor stepped in between the third and fourth rounds, judging the cut too severe for Amoussou to continue.[48]

In the final fight of his contract, Askren faced tournament winner Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 97.[49] He dominated the fight with his wrestling and ground strikes, outstriking his opponent by a wide 248 to 3 margin before winning via TKO in the fourth round.[50]

On November 14, 2013, following a negotiation period, Bellator announced they had released Askren from the company, and that he was now an unrestricted free agent.[51]

ONE Championship

[edit]

On December 9, 2013, Askren signed a two-year, six-fight contract with ONE Championship.[52]

Askren met Bakhtiyar Abbasov, who had been riding a nine-fight win streak, in the main event of ONE FC: Honor and Glory on May 30.[53] He won the fight via submission (arm-triangle choke) in the first round, and proceeded to call out ONE champion Nobutatsu Suzuki, stating "Suzuki is going to bring me my belt. He can put it in the middle of the cage and give it to me, or I can take it the hard way!”[54]

Askren faced Suzuki at ONE Fighting Championship: Reign of Champions on August 29, 2014. He won the fight via TKO due to strikes in the first round to become the new ONE Welterweight Champion.[55]

Askren faced Luis Santos in the main event at ONE Championship: Valor of Champions on April 24.[56] The fight was ruled "no contest" after an accidental eye poke from Askren at 2:19 of round 1 rendered Santos unable to continue.[57]

In the next fight Askren beat Russia's Nikolay Aleksakhin at the ONE Championship: Global Warriors on April 15, 2016, by unanimous decision.[58]

Askren then fought Agilan Thani at the ONE Championship: Dynasty of Heroes on May 26, 2017.[59] He won the fight via submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the first round.[60]

Askren then faced Zebaztian Kadestam at the ONE Championship: Shanghai on September 7, 2017.[61] He won the fight via TKO due to punches.[62]

Askren then faced fellow veteran Shinya Aoki at ONE Championship: Immortal Pursuit on November 24, 2017. Prior to the bout, he claimed this would be his last fight. He won the fight via TKO due to punches early in the first round. He retired from the sport after the win.[63]

Askren left the door open for one last match if he was made an offer to "prove I'm the best welterweight in the world". He discussed the possibility of facing Georges St-Pierre, claiming "He doesn't want a title fight. He just wants to build on his legacy," adding that he felt he would be the perfect opponent for St. Pierre. The contest never materialized.[64]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

On November 3, 2018, it was announced that the UFC had signed Askren under the "trade UFC and One Championship agreement", in exchange for former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson.[65]

Askren made his UFC debut against the former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235.[66] The bout was initially scheduled for UFC 233, but after the event was cancelled the fight was rescheduled for UFC 235. Askren won the fight via bulldog choke in the first round, through a controversial stoppage by referee Herb Dean.[67] Replays appear to show Lawler's arm going limp and giving a thumbs up right after, which some attribute to Lawler slipping in and out of consciousness. Although controversial, Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Bob Bennett explained that the commission had "no problem" with Dean's decision to stop the fight.[68]

Askren faced long–time veteran Jorge Masvidal on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239.[69] Leading up to the match, Askren utilized heavy trash-talk as usual.[70] He was knocked out with a flying knee five seconds into the first round, the fastest knockout in UFC history, ending his undefeated run.[71]

Askren faced ADCC World Champion and MMA veteran Demian Maia on October 26, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 20,[72] and lost the fight via technical submission in round three.[73] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[74]

Retirement

[edit]

On November 18, 2019, Askren announced his official retirement from mixed martial arts competition.[75] Since his retirement, as early as 2021, Askren has repeatedly expressed interest in returning for one more bout in mixed martial arts, should he be able to have a rematch with his former rival Masvidal in the right circumstances, should they be presented in the future.[76][77][78][79]

Boxing career

[edit]
Main article: Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren

After a back-and-forth on social media,[80][81] Askren fought Jake Paul in a boxing match on April 17, 2021, losing by TKO in round one.[82] The fight sold 500,000 PPV buys.[83]

Personal life

[edit]

He is competitive in the sport of disc golf. In 2009, Askren finished ninth in the Amateur World Championships.[84] Askren is sponsored by Discraft.[85] He is also involved in cryptocurrency investing.[86]

Askren married his wife Amy in 2010 and together they have three children.[87]

Askren co-hosts a few weekly wrestling podcasts: 'FloWrestling Radio Live' with Christian Pyles on FloWrestling, 'The Funky & FRB Show' with Front Row Brian on Rokfin[permanent dead link‍] and 'The T-Row & Funky Show' with two–time NCAA champion Tommy Rowlands.[88]

Askren has stated that he is not religious.[89]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
22 matches 19 wins 2 losses
By knockout 6 1
By submission 6 1
By decision 7 0
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 19–2 (1) Demian Maia Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren October 26, 2019 3 3:54 Kallang, Singapore Fight of the Night.
Loss 19–1 (1) Jorge Masvidal KO (flying knee) UFC 239 July 6, 2019 1 0:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–0 (1) Robbie Lawler Technical Submission (bulldog choke) UFC 235 March 2, 2019 1 3:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–0 (1) Shinya Aoki TKO (punches) ONE: Immortal Pursuit November 24, 2017 1 0:57 Kallang, Singapore Defended the ONE Welterweight Championship. Askren vacated the title on October 27, 2018.
Win 17–0 (1) Zebaztian Kadestam TKO (punches) ONE: Shanghai September 2, 2017 2 4:09 Shanghai, China Defended the ONE Welterweight Championship.
Win 16–0 (1) Agilan Thani Submission (arm-triangle choke) ONE: Dynasty of Heroes May 26, 2017 1 2:20 Kallang, Singapore Defended the ONE Welterweight Championship.
Win 15–0 (1) Nikolay Aleksakhin Decision (unanimous) ONE: Global Rivals April 15, 2016 5 5:00 Pasay, Philippines Non-title bout; Aleksakhin missed weight (187 lb).
NC 14–0 (1) Luis Santos No Contest (accidental eye poke) ONE: Valor of Champions April 24, 2015 1 2:19 Pasay, Philippines Retained the ONE Welterweight Championship. Accidental eye poke rendered Santos unable to continue.
Win 14–0 Nobutatsu Suzuki TKO (punches) ONE FC: Reign of Champions August 29, 2014 1 1:24 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Won the ONE Welterweight Championship.
Win 13–0 Bakhtiyar Abbasov Submission (arm-triangle choke) ONE FC 16: Honor and Glory May 30, 2014 1 4:21 Kallang, Singapore
Win 12–0 Andrey Koreshkov TKO (punches) Bellator 97 July 31, 2013 4 2:58 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Defended the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. Askren vacated the title on November 14, 2013.
Win 11–0 Karl Amoussou TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 86 January 24, 2013 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Defended the Bellator Welterweight World Championship.
Win 10–0 Douglas Lima Decision (unanimous) Bellator 64 April 6, 2012 5 5:00 Windsor, Ontario, Canada Defended the Bellator Welterweight World Championship.
Win 9–0 Jay Hieron Decision (split) Bellator 56 October 29, 2011 5 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Defended the Bellator Welterweight World Championship.
Win 8–0 Nick Thompson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 40 April 9, 2011 3 5:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Non-title bout; Thompson missed weight (170.8 lb).
Win 7–0 Lyman Good Decision (unanimous) Bellator 33 October 21, 2010 5 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Won the Bellator Welterweight World Championship.
Win 6–0 Dan Hornbuckle Decision (unanimous) Bellator 22 June 17, 2010 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Won the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament.
Win 5–0 Ryan Thomas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 19 May 20, 2010 3 5:00 Grand Prairie, Texas, United States Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 4–0 Ryan Thomas Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 14 April 15, 2010 1 2:40 Chicago, Illinois, United States Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 3–0 Matt Delanoit Submission (north-south choke) Max Fights DM: Ballroom Brawl August 28, 2009 1 1:15 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 2–0 Mitchell Harris Submission (arm-triangle choke) Headhunter Productions: The Patriot Act 2 April 25, 2009 1 1:27 Columbia, Missouri, United States Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Win 1–0 Josh Flowers TKO (punches) Headhunter Productions: The Patriot Act February 7, 2009 1 1:25 Columbia, Missouri, United States Welterweight debut.

[91]

Freestyle record

[edit]
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
Loss 31–11 United States Jordan Burroughs TF 0–11 May 6, 2019 2019 Beat The Streets: Grapple at the Garden

United States New York City, New York

Loss 31–10 United States Clayton Foster 3–10 January 20, 2015 Flo Premier League IV

United States Wales, Wisconsin

Win 31–9 United States Michael Poeta OT 11–10 January 26, 2014 Agon III

United States Whitewater, Wisconsin

Win 30–9 United States Quentin Wright 22–8 October 27, 2013 Agon I

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

2010 US World Team Trials DNP at 74 kg
Loss 29–9 United States Travis Paulson 0–1, 1–3 June 11, 2010 2010 US World Team Trials United States Council Bluffs, Iowa
Win 29–8 United States Terry Madden 1–0, 4–1
Win 28–8 United States Moza Fay TF 9–2 May 13, 2010 2010 Beat The Streets: Battle on the Intrepid

United States New York City, New York

2010 Dave Schultz Memorial 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 27–8 United States Trent Paulson Fall February 5, 2010 2010 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open United States Colorado Springs, Colorado
Win 26–8 Russia Rashid Kurbanov Fall
Win 25–8 Canada Mathew Jud Gentry 1–2, 5–0, 4–0
Win 24–8 United States Brian Surage 5–0, 6–0
Win 23–8 Spain Airam Gonzalez Garcia Fall
2009 Sunkist Open 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 74 kg
Loss 22–8 United States Chris Pendleton 1–2, 1–1 October 24, 2009 2009 Sunkist International Open United States Phoenix, Arizona
Win 22–7 United States Keith Gavin 4–1, 7–4
Win 21–7 United States Benjamin Wissel 1–0, 7–0
Win 20–7 United States Matt Wilps Fall
2008 Summer Olympics 7th at 74 kg
Loss 19–7 Cuba Ivan Fundora 1–3, 0–4 August 12, 2008 2008 Summer Olympics China Beijing, China
Win 19–6 Hungary István Veréb Fall
2008 US Olympic Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 18–6 United States Tyrone Lewis 2–6, 2–0, 1–0 June 15, 2008 2008 US Olympic Team Trials United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 17–6 United States Tyrone Lewis 2–0, 1–0
Win 16–6 United States Ramico Blackmon 1–0, 2–1
Win 15–6 United States Donny Pritzlaff 3–0, 1–1
2008 US Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 14–6 United States Tyrone Lewis 3–0, 3–2 April 26, 2008 2008 US National Championships United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 13–6 United States Ryan Churella 4–0, 5–2
Win 12–6 United States Ramico Blackmon 8–4, 6–0
2007 NYAC Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 11–6 United States Donny Pritzlaff 3–0, 1–0 November 17, 2007 2007 NYAC Open United States New York City, New York
Win 10–6 United States Ramico Blackman 0–2, 1–0, 2–0
Win 9–6 Russia Rashid Kurbanov 2–2, 5–0
Win 8–6 Canada Matt Gentry 3–2, 3–1
2007 Sunkist Open 4th at 74 kg
Loss 7–6 United States Matthew Lackey 0–4, 2–6 October 28, 2007 2007 Sunkist International Open United States Arizona
Win 7–5 United States Travis Koppenhafer 4–1, 2–1
Loss 6–5 United States Travis Paulson 6–0, 1–3, 0–2
Win 6–4 United States Joey Hooker 4–0, 6–0
Win 5–4 United States Chance Goodman TF 6–0, 6–0
Win 4–4 United States Matthew Lackey TF 5–3, 6–0
2007 US World Team Trials DNP at 74 kg
Loss 3–4 United States Ramico Blackmon 1–4, 1–4 June 10, 2007 2007 US World Team Trials United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 3–3 United States Travis Paulson 4–3, 1–0
Loss 2–3 United States Donny Pritzlaff 0–2, 1–3
2007 US Nationals 6th at 74 kg
Loss 2–2 United States Donny Pritzlaff 0–2, 0–7 April 7, 2007 2007 US National Championships United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 2–1 United States Joe Heskett 3–2, 2–5, 1–1
Win 2–0 United States Tyrone Lewis 1–0, 1–1
Win 1–0 United States David Bolyard TF 10–3, 7–1

NCAA record

[edit]
NCAA Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
2007 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 19–0 Keith Gavin 8–2 March 15–17, 2007 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 18–0 Eric Luedke 8–3
Win 17–0 Matt Palmer Fall
Win 16–0 Gabriel Dretsch Fall
Win 15–0 Lloyd Rogers Fall
2006 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 14–0 Jake Herbert MD 14–2 March 16–18, 2006 2006 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 13–0 Mike Patrovich TF 21–6
Win 12–0 Travis Frick TF 19–3
Win 11–0 Wes Roberts 6–4
Win 10–0 Christian Arellano 9–2
2005 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 9–0 Chris Pendleton 5–10 March 17–19, 2005 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 8–0 Pete Friedl 7–2
Win 7–0 E.K. Waldhaus MD 17–4
Win 6–0 Brady Richardson MD 9–0
Win 5–0 Mark Himes TF 18–2
2004 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 4–0 Chris Pendleton 4–11 March 18–20, 2004 2004 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 3–0 Tyler Nixt 4–2
Win 2–0 Brad Dillon SV 12–7
Win 1–0 Matt Herrington Fall

Professional boxing record

[edit]
1 fight 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Loss 0–1 Jake Paul TKO 1 (8), 1:59 Apr 17, 2021 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Submission grappling record

[edit]
Result Rec Opponent Method Event Date Division Location
Win 12–2 United States Gerald Meerschaert Submission (anaconda choke) Absolute Grappling Grand Prix at Wisconsin State Fair August 5, 2011 Absolute United States West Allis, Wisconsin, United States
Win 11–2 Brazil Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa Points (23–0)
Win 10–2 United States Lyndon Viteri Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Loss 9–2 Brazil Francisco "Sinistro" Iturralde Advantage points (3–4) IBJJF 2010 Nogi Jiu Jitsu World Championship November 7, 2010 -82 kg (purple) United States Long Beach, California, United States
Win 9–1 United States Jacob Volkmann Points (3–1) FILA 2009 Grappling World Championship December 12, 2009 -84 kg United States Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 8–1 United States Jeff Funicello Points (4–0)
Win 7–1 Brazil Gabriel Kitober Points (5–4)
Win 6–1 Italy Bernardo Serrini Submission (choke)
Win 5–1 United States Jacob Volkmann Points (6–0) USA Grappling World Team Trials October 23, 2009 -84 kg United States Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 4–1 United States Shannon Ritch Submission (armbar)
Win 3–1 United States Shane Cross Submission (north-south choke)
Win 2–1 United States Danny Rubenstein Submission (D'Arce choke)
Loss 1–1 Brazil Pablo Popovitch Submission (toe hold) ADCC 2009 Submission Wrestling World Championship September 26, 2009 -77 kg Spain Barcelona, Spain
Win 1–0 Finland Toni Linden Submission (arm-triangle choke)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Stats | UFC".
  2. ^ "Ben Askren | UFC". www.ufc.com. December 27, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Steven Marrocco (April 16, 2021). "Tyron Woodley, teammates bullish on Ben Askren breaking down Jake Paul". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "Ben Askren Reveals That He Wishes He Trained More BJJ". August 12, 2020.
  5. ^ "Ben Askren". teamusa.org. United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  6. ^ Duane Finley (November 23, 2017). "Ben Askren: Complete Story Of A Wrestling Legend". flocombat.com.
  7. ^ "Ben Askren". Fanatic Wrestling. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "BoxRec: Ben Askren".
  9. ^ "Dana White says bringing Ben Askren to the UFC was 'a great deal for me'". November 4, 2018.
  10. ^ "Merrill: A week in the life of an Olympic athlete". ESPN.com. August 20, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Ben Askren (2011) - Hall of Fame". University of Missouri Athletics. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "#Throwback Thursday: See three Ben Askren bouts at 2009 UWW Grappling Worlds in Florida". Team USA. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Ben Askren". Fanatic Wrestling. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Arrowhead Union High School - 2017 Inductees". www.arrowheadschools.org. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Wisconsin Wrestling Hall of Fame :: Askren, Ben". www.wiwrestlinghofhonorees.org. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  16. ^ "How the bond between Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren changed Missouri wrestling". ESPN.com. May 26, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Connelly, Bill (July 22, 2015). "The Greatest, #1: Ben Askren". Rock M Nation. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  18. ^ Matter, Dave (April 25, 2020). "Matter's Best of Mizzou: No. 2, Ben Askren". STLtoday.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  19. ^ Richard Anderson Mann (January 5, 2011). "Ben Askren defeats world silver medalist Jake Herbert in Midlands super match". Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  20. ^ "Schalles Award Winners". WIN magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ben Askren Claims Dan Hodge Award for Second Consecutive Year". big12sports.com. March 26, 2007. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  22. ^ "Ben Askren Named 2006 Recipient of Dan Hodge Trophy". MU Tigers Athletics via website. March 27, 2006.
  23. ^ "Funky Wrestling With Ben Askren". Fanatic Wrestling. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  24. ^ "Ben Askren named 2007 Rev Wrestler of the Year". InterMat. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  25. ^ Bumpus, Austin (January 29, 2020). "Former UFC fighter Ben Askren paying it forward with wrestling academy after retirement from MMA". The Swing of Things. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  26. ^ "Six chosen for University of Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame". KTVO-TV via website. January 9, 2012. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  27. ^ Gallo, Ed (May 7, 2019). "Domination: Jordan Burroughs vs. Ben Askren Match Recap - MMA Sucka". Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  28. ^ MURPHY/MISSOURIAN, TOM (July 21, 2008). "Ben Askren's goal is to win an Olympic gold medal". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  29. ^ Smith, Earl (May 5, 2019). "A Look at the Remarkable Wrestling Career of Ben Askren". The Open Mat. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
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Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ During Askren's tenure in ONE Championship, he competed at 185 lbs. ONE Championship refers to their 185 lb division as Welterweight, but per the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 185 lbs is considered Middleweight.
[edit]