The UFC and One Championship are on the verge of a “trade” that will ultimately send Demetrious Johnson, the UFC’s longest-reigning champion of all time, to One in exchange for undefeated welterweight Ben Askren.
Askren (18-0) is a former NCAA Division I national champion wrestler at University of Missouri. A former Bellator MMA champ, who tried to sign with the UFC five years ago but couldn’t strike a deal with president Dana White.
The 34-year-old has been at the center debate throughout his career. He’s fought some tough competition — including Douglas Lima and Andrey Koreshkov — but until now, the question of how he would fare against the UFC’s roster has been left to speculation.
Should the deal become official and Askren finally makes his Octagon debut, who should he fight first? Here are the top three options.
Honestly, my list kind of starts and ends right here. This wouldn’t be the only option for Askren (there are plenty good ones), but it would be the perfect one.
Askren sort of has the reputation of a “trash talker,” but that’s not the best way to say it. He’s not one to spout off one-liners, but he’s got a sense of humor, and he’s unapologetically direct.
He has a lot of respect for St-Pierre and he wouldn’t stick his finger in his chest like Michael Bisping did a year ago, but he would not over respect him. He would be genuinely confident going in, and that would come across in any pre-fight interactions.
Would St-Pierre take this fight? Earlier this year, he basically said he would not, because Askren’s stock isn’t high enough. He’s too much of an unknown. But one could argue, Askren’s stock might never be higher than it is right now. There’s value in the unknown. There’s value in “an undefeated American champion, who fought overseas the last five years but the UFC has orchestrated a historical trade, parting ways with the great Demetrious Johnson, just so fans can see him face Georges St-Pierre in the Octagon.”
Tell me that’s not a compelling narrative to sell a fight on. This is the one, guys.
Oh, and Askren is most definitely on board with this.
Hey @GeorgesStPierre please name your terms of engagement!!! Who would you like me to beat up or how many twitter followers would you like me to have. You name it’s done. Then I’ll see you in Montreal.
– Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 26, 2018
But @GeorgesStPierre please be specific, ambiguity sucks. I know you like a challenge and I am a puzzle you have never solved yet.
– Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 26, 2018
It’s not gonna happen — but if we’re listing the top options, this has to be included.
Askren happens to be a teammate and close friend with Woodley, the UFC’s current welterweight champion. Their connection dates back to the wrestling mats at University of Missouri.
Could you imagine if Askren suddenly came out and challenged his buddy? “I love ya, Tyron, but that’s my belt you’ve been holding.” The betrayal! And if we really want to find out how good Askren is, what better way than have him face the absolute top of the division.
Fun to think about, but not gonna happen. Moving on.
This would be contingent on Usman beating Rafael dos Anjos in an already scheduled fight on Nov. 30 in Las Vegas.
Stylistically, there aren’t many secrets to Askren’s game. It’s dominant, and predictable. His wrestling prowess overwhelms opponents, to the point his fights are frequently characterized as “boring” by some of the MMA fanbase.
Usman, a former collegiate wrestler himself at University of Nebraska at Kearney, has occasionally faced similar complaints about his style. He’s a strong grappler as well, and has long claimed he’s one of the “most ducked” fighters in the UFC because of that.
Pitting a confident, outspoken Askren against an opponent who:
A) Is a tough fight for him on paper and
B) Has the reputation of a guy no one wants to fight
would be really interesting. The new guy coming in to take on the avoided guy. I can get behind that.
Again, Usman needs to get past ‘RDA’ first. If he does, he’d be 9-0 in the UFC.
But wait … there’s more
Even those those were my three choices, Asken has been vocal on Twitter, calling out other potential UFC opponents:
And @TeamKhabib I’ll meet you at 165 to determine the best MMA grappler on planet earth! You just name the time and send location.
– Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 26, 2018
And @NateDiaz209 you can’t keep waiting on your sugar daddy @TheNotoriousMMA to make you some more money. If big bro lets you out of the house and your feeling funky holler at me
– Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 26, 2018
Hey @nickdiaz209 word is you blew all your money and need to fight again. I realize you haven’t won a bout since 2011, but people still seem to think you are good. I’m willing to show them otherwise!
– Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 26, 2018