Askren

Victory no3 over the retired Ben Askren, a former Bellator welterweight champion and accomplished wrestler but never a renowned striker, was a step up but hardly a major one.

The fight was Askren’s second in the UFC, following a successful but controversial debut against Robbie Lawler and previous title runs in Bellator and One Championship.

All of a sudden, Askren interviews just weren’t as entertaining and interesting as they once were.

After the comeback win the former lightweight contender called for a fight against Jorge Masvidal - who scored the quickest KO in UFC history against Ben Askren in July.

Although Askren earned the majority of the takedowns, it was Maia who ended up reversing them and getting a better position every time.

Askren noted the post and replied, offering to face Maia at UFC on ESPN+ 20 on Oct. 26 in Singapore.

Askren will lock horns with longtime American Top Team standout in a three-round welterweight showcase at on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

He was also a part of the historic trade that sent former UFC Flyweight Champion and landed Askren with the UFC.

Maia was looking to secure his third straight victory with a win over Askren and secure his legacy as the best grappler in the UFC.

Neither guy has fought since 2017 – Askren briefly retired for a while.

Not often a 34-year-old makes his UFC debut, but that’s the case for the unbeaten Askren, a former champion in Bellator and One Championships – he reigned for a total of six combined years as a champion.

The spat with White became public, contentious, and, quite frankly, legendary, as Askren fired back insults at a man that most fighters are looking to gain favor with.

A monumental moment in the mixed martial arts history is close to coming to fruition with Demetrious Johnson and Ben Askren at the center of it.