Ben Askren entered mixed martial arts with a singular identity: an elite, suffocating wrestler who didn't just win fights, but completely dismantled how opponents approached the grappling canvas. Long before his high-profile run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship or his crossover boxing matches, Askren built a reputation on sheer, uncompromising control. He didn't care about flashy striking exchanges or theatrical stand-up battles. Instead, he forced every opponent into deep waters using folkstyle wrestling mechanics that professional cage fighting had rarely seen before.
Before turning professional, Askren cemented his legacy as one of the greatest amateur wrestlers in American history. A four-time NCAA finalist and two-time national champion for the University of Missouri, he also secured a spot on the 2008 United States Olympic team in Beijing. His unorthodox riding style, characterized by relentless forward pressure and unorthodox pinning combinations like the "Askren ride," made him a nightmare on the mat. When he transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2009, that wrestling pedigree translated into an aura of absolute invincibility that lasted for over a decade.
The Undefeated Rise Through Bellator and ONE Championship
Askren's professional career began with a storm of dominant victories, quickly establishing him as a top-tier welterweight. He claimed the Bellator welterweight championship by defeating Lyman Good in 2010 and successfully defended the belt multiple times against formidable challengers like Douglas Lima and Jay Hieron. His style was straightforward yet utterly baffling to opponents: secure a takedown within the first minute, flatten the opponent out, and methodically drain their energy through suffocating top pressure and ground-and-pound.
After parting ways with Bellator while still undefeated, Askren signed with Asia-based promotion ONE Championship. There, he captured the welterweight world title by stopping Nobutatsu Suzuki and defended it against fighters like Shinya Aoki. By the time he retired from active MMA competition temporarily in 2017, his record sat at an immaculate 18-0 with one no-contest. He had cleaned out multiple organizations without ever tasting defeat, proving that elite, specialized grappling could completely neutralize diverse striking backgrounds.
The UFC Run and Career-Defining Moments
In 2018, a historic trade between ONE Championship and the UFC brought Askren into the world's premier MMA organization, setting up dream matchups that fans had demanded for years. His promotional debut at UFC 235 against Robbie Lawler delivered instant chaos. Askren survived a brutal slam and barrage of punches early in the opening round, locked in a bulldog choke, and secured a technical submission win—though the stoppage sparked immediate controversy regarding whether Lawler had actually lost consciousness.
That momentum ground to a sudden halt just months later at UFC 239. Facing Jorge Masvidal, Askren rushed forward for a traditional takedown right at the opening bell, only to run straight into a historic flying knee. The knockout occurred in just five seconds, marking the fastest finish in UFC history and serving as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in predictable entries. Askren fought once more in the UFC, losing to veteran submission specialist Demian Maia before announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts due to lingering hip issues that required replacement surgery.
How Askren Redefined MMA Grappling
Askren changed how fighters and coaches viewed chain wrestling inside the cage. While many mixed martial artists used wrestling primarily as a defensive tool to keep fights standing, Askren treated the cage wall and the canvas as his domain of total control.
- Pace and Exhaustion: He didn't always need explosive knockouts; instead, he weaponized fatigue, making opponents carry his weight until they broke mentally and physically.
- Folkstyle Control: He popularized American folkstyle pinning concepts, using wrist rides and mat returns that traditional jiu-jitsu practitioners struggled to counter from the bottom position.
- Unapologetic Persona: Outside of his athletic achievements, Askren embraced a sharp-tongued, unfiltered persona that proved elite grapplers could draw massive pay-per-view interest through sheer charisma and competitive confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ben Askren's professional MMA record?
Ben Askren finished his professional mixed martial arts career with a record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest.
Did Ben Askren win an Olympic medal?
No. Askren competed in the freestyle 74 kg division at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games for the United States, but he did not place in the medal rounds.
Why did Ben Askren retire from MMA?
Askren retired primarily due to chronic hip injuries and wear-and-tear from decades of elite-level grappling, ultimately undergoing successful hip replacement surgery following his departure from the UFC.
What is Ben Askren doing now?
After retiring from MMA and a brief venture into professional boxing, Askren has focused heavily on coaching youth wrestling through the Askren Wrestling Academy (AWA) in Wisconsin and investing in various business ventures.
