Ben Askren is a call that resonates in each wrestling and blended martial arts (MMA) circles, acknowledged for his undefeated wrestling profession, unorthodox MMA fashion, and viral second in UFC history.
He’s greater than only a retired fighter—Askren is an entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and sports activities commentator. His adventure from NCAA wrestling standout to UFC fundamental card enchantment encapsulates a compelling narrative of grit, adaptation, and self-awareness.
Who is Ben Askren?
Ben Askren, born July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a retired expert blended martial artist and beginner wrestler. A former Olympic athlete, Askren is first-rate acknowledged for his wrestling dominance, particular combating fashion, and viral knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal in 2019—a defining second in UFC history.
Askren turned into a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at the University of Missouri and represented America in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He transitioned to MMA in 2009, ultimately turning into the welterweight champion in each Bellator and ONE Championship earlier than becoming a member of the UFC in 2019.
Career Highlights and Timeline
NCAA Wrestling and Olympic Journey
Askren first made waves as a wrestler. He turned into acknowledged for his funky, scrambly fashion that burdened fighters and overjoyed fans.
2004–2006: NCAA Division I runner-up (2004), then champion (2006 and 2007)
2008: Represented Team USA on the Beijing Olympics in freestyle wrestling
Although he did not win a medal in the Olympics, his transition to MMA quickly after might come to be one of the most successful for any wrestler in history.
MMA Career: Bellator, ONE FC, UFC
Ben Askren made his MMA debut in 2009. His uncommon placing, elite wrestling, and capacity to neutralize fighters helped him keep an undefeated file for most of his profession.
2010–2013 (Bellator): Won the Bellator Welterweight Championship; defended it 4 times
2014–2017 (ONE Championship): Became ONE Welterweight Champion; retired undefeated
2019 (UFC): Came out of retirement, debuted with a debatable win over Robbie Lawler
2019: Lost to Jorge Masvidal thru flying knee in five seconds—the quickest KO in UFC history
2020: Retired from MMA because of habitual hip injuries
Jake Paul Fight (2021)
After his MMA retirement, Askren lowered back to the highlight in an excessive-profile boxing in shape in opposition to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
April 17, 2021: Askren misplaced thru first-spherical TKO
The occasion turned into broadly criticized, however it similarly cemented Askren’s vicinity in popular culture discourse
Ben Askren’s Fighting Style
Askren’s combating fashion turned into each respected and ridiculed. While his placing turned into considered unorthodox or maybe poor, his wrestling turned into a few of the first-rate ever visible in MMA. He trusted takedowns, floor control, and submission threats to wear out fighters.
His fashion sparked debates about leisure as opposed to effectiveness in MMA. Some critics claimed his fights had been boring, however others reputed his strategic mastery.
Life After Retirement: Business, Coaching, Commentary
Since formally retiring from competition, Ben Askren has constructed a multi-faceted post-combat profession.
Funky Farms and Askren Wrestling Academy
Askren co-based Askren Wrestling Academy (AWA), which now has more than one branch in Wisconsin. AWA has produced numerous faculty and collegiate wrestling standouts.
He additionally released Funky Farms, a wellness-centered initiative emphasizing easy eating, natural farming, and young people sports activities improvement.
Podcasts and Media Presence
Askren co-hosts the Funky & FRB Show, FloWrestling Radio Live, and appears on The MMA Hour. His witty, trustworthy evaluation has made him a face amongst fans.
As of 2025, he stays a lovely voice in the fight sports activities space, frequently commenting on trends, athlete performances, and the evolving enterprise of sports activities leisure.
Recent Trends (2025): Where Is Ben Askren Now?
As of 2025, Askren stays a reputable commentator and coach. He has:
Partnered with collegiate wrestling groups for athlete improvement programs
Launched a young people wrestling mentorship platform with on-line tutorials and schooling camps
Appeared as a visitor speaker at sports activities entrepreneurship events
Continued podcasting and media work, particularly round UFC and NCAA wrestling events
His virtual footprint—especially on X (previously Twitter) and YouTube—continues to grow, with over 1.3 million fans mixed as of mid-2025.
Real-Life Examples of Askren’s Impact
Young Wrestlers: Many excessive faculty and university athletes credit score Askren’s AWA camps for his or her success. NCAA standout Keegan O’Toole qualified under Askren.
Social Media: Askren’s tweet breakdowns of UFC fights and Olympic suits are frequently noted in sports activities media.
Educational Content: His wrestling tutorials on YouTube have accumulated hundreds of thousands of views, regularly utilized by coaches and athletes alike.
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What happened to Ben Askren?
In early June 2025, Ben Askren, the previous Olympic wrestler and MMA champion, turned into hospitalized in Wisconsin because of an excessive bout of pneumonia because of a staph infection. His circumstances quickly deteriorated, requiring emergency intervention with a ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Lung Transplant & Critical Condition
On June 24, his spouse Amy showed that Askren was formally positioned at the ready listing for a lung transplant.
A few days later, a successful double lung transplant was achieved in the past due June, made possible through a beneficent nameless donor and enormous network fundraising. This life-saving method passed off after numerous weeks in vital care .
Ben Askren net worth
While Ben Askren’s profession in reality had excessive‑cost moments, inclusive of championship wins and a main boxing appearance, the most dependable assessment of his net worth stays approximately $500,000.
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Final Thoughts
Ben Askren’s tale is an extraordinary mixture of athletic excellence, unfiltered honesty, public vulnerability, and ongoing reinvention. From NCAA and Olympic mats to championship belts in Bellator and ONE, his adventure redefined what it means to achieve fight sports activities. Even his most criticized moments—just like the Masvidal knockout or Jake Paul bout—had been embraced with humility and become structures for growth.
FAQs
Did Ben Askren win any UFC belts?
No, Askren did now no longer win a name in the UFC. He turned into, however, the welterweight champion in each Bellator and ONE Championship earlier than becoming a member of the UFC in 2019.
Why is Ben Askren well-known for outdoor MMA?
Beyond MMA, Askren won reputation via his Olympic wrestling profession, viral moments, funny interviews, and participation in high-profile events like his boxing match against Jake Paul.
Is Ben Askren in the UFC Hall of Fame?
As of 2025, Ben Askren is not in the UFC Hall of Fame, but his contributions to MMA and his iconic UFC moment are widely recognized in UFC history conversations.
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