On Monday, the former ONE Championship and Bellator champion officially announced his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts.
According to Askren, the decision was essentially made for him after doctors revealed that he would need hip replacement surgery, which effectively stops him from competing athletically again.
“I’m retiring from the sport of mixed martial arts and frankly I’m retiring from everything,” Askren told ESPN. “I’ve been having hip problems and I finally had the discussion with my doctor and I actually got the MRI before my last fight and I need a hip replacement.