Earlier this week, former ONE FC and Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren announced his retirement from MMA.
Askren decided to retire following an unsuccessful stint in the UFC, where the 35-year-old suffered a humiliating knockout at the hands of Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal and a third-round submission defeat to Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 162. ‘Funky’s’ lone submission victory over former UFC welterweight champ Robbie Lawler is marred by controversy, as the general consensus is that ‘Ruthless’ didn’t tap out.
With that said, Askren was still regarded as a formidable talent in the grappling world and former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman, who wrestled with Askren in high school, hailed the former Olympian as one of the biggest inspirations of his career.