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Ben Askren: The Welterweight MMA Legend You’ve Never Heard of?

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In recent years, MMA has seen rise to some of the best combat athletes of the modern era. The savage and barbaric nature of the sport has forced competitors to constantly improve and innovate, and this ideal has been both a gift and a curse for Ben Askren.

At this point you may be wondering; Who is Ben Askren?

Ben Askren is an extremely outspoken nine year MMA veteran, holding an undefeated record of 17-0-1 and known for his highly controversial “lay and pray” fighting style. His most notable victories come against Douglas Lima (via decision), Jay Hieron (via decision) and Andrey Koreshkov (via doctors stoppage between rounds three and four).

Askren is a great example of how entertainment value can make or break a combat athlete’s notoriety, and a prime example of how being critical of Dana White, the UFC’s methods and the sport as a whole can come back and bite you permanently.

Askren has referred to himself as being “blacklisted” by the two biggest MMA organisations in the world (Bellator and UFC), which is stunning considering his fight record and his fighting credentials. To mention a few of his many accolades, Askren is a former Olympian in wrestling, a former Bellator champion (who also holds the record for recording the most amount of Bellator wins) and current One FC Champion. He has never been signed to the premier MMA organization, The UFC, and at 33-Years-Old, has just announced he is to retire after his next fight (against Shinya Aoki on November 24th at “One FC: Immortal Pursuit”).

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UNDEFEATED: Ben Askren holding his Bellator and ONE FC Welterweight Titles.

Again, you may wonder why Askren has never fought under the UFC banner.

There isn’t a straightforward answer, although both Dana White and Ben Askren tell different stories as to why the signing never happened. Askren often refers to the “unfair contractual practices” implemented by the UFC, which was a direct reaction to his unsuccessful contract negotiations with the UFC in 2013. These negotiations led Askren to claim that he “got screwed pretty royally”. These failed contract talks have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Askren, who over the years has went on to attack the UFC and Dana White relentlessly.

On the other hand, Dana White pointed to Askren’s passion for the sport as the reason for the failed negotiations. In 2015, Dana White claimed Ben Askren “does not want to fight the best in the world” at a New York Press Conference, and also claimed “he’s not my kinda guy” (with reference to Ben Askren as a businessman and person).

We’ll probably never know how good Ben Askren truly was, due to the fact he never came up against the “world class” competition required to reach legend status, although if legend status was conditional on “beating what’s in front of you”, he’d be a hall of famer, no questions asked.

His “lay and pray” style may also be damaging to his reputation, with many MMA figures (such as Phil Baroni) referring to Askren as “boring” and “unwatchable”. It is worth noting that as a tactical approach, “lay and pray” has been extremely effective at neutralizing Askren’s opponents offense, whilst also limiting the damage which Askren has taken in his career. Askren has also been able to finish ten of his eighteen opponents within the distance, making him both clinical and punishing in grappling and ground and pound exchanges.

There’s nothing more temporary in combat sports than retirement; Look at Floyd Mayweather, Georges St.Pierre and BJ Penn as examples of this. However, if this is the final time we see Ben Askren fight, know that there will be a permanent footnote on both Askren’s career and the MMA Welterweight Division.

We’ll never truly know what we missed out on.

CM Punk Broke the Internet.

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As UFC 203 drew to a close, it was difficult to take my mind off the cataclysmic failure in which Phil Brooks had just endured.

For those wondering who Phil Brooks is, he’s known by most as CM Punk, a former professional wrestling champion and self proclaimed “Cult of Personality”.

The reason I call him by his real name, rather than his stage name, is to differentiate his past from his present. Nothing in his past could have prepared him for the stark realization that, when it comes to mixed martial arts, you’re either born with it or you’re the other 99.9% of the world.

Brooks got battered. There’s no debate about that. The bout lasted two and a half minutes and there wasn’t a second in the fight when he wasn’t being dominated.

BATTERED: Phil Brooks being pummelled by welterweight prospect Mickey Gall.
BATTERED: Phil Brooks being pummelled by welterweight prospect Mickey Gall.

It was hard to watch at times. Just seconds in, it was abundantly clear that this experiment wasn’t going to have a happy ending for the Chicago native. And although the fight proved brutal, it also proved necessary.

This fight, along with other examples (James Toney VS Randy Couture & Jose Canseco Vs Hong Man Choi immediately spring to mind) are reminders to the general public that, although the term “mixed martial arts” has the word “art” in it, there’s nothing artistic about being punched in the face.

MMA is savage. On the same card, viewers witnessed a man’s finger becoming so badly dislocated that, when the footage is paused, you can clearly see a bone sticking out. Viewers also witnessed Alistair Overeem, a man with over 15 years of MMA experience, being unapologetically knocked unconscious. This isn’t a game folks.

The Phil Brooks experiment, if nothing else, provoked opinions. On one side, many admired the man for chasing his goals and following his dreams. On the other, many seen his move into professional fighting as cocky, arrogant and ignorant. He’s always been considered a controversial character and his move into MMA was cut from the same cloth.

Brooks said, “In life, you go big or you go home” after the fight. It was an admirable act of courage to step into the octagon and the man deserves respect for that alone. But there’s nothing more humbling in life than a punch to the face. And unfortunately for Brooks, he learned that the hard way on several occasions.

His Rocky story didn’t have a happy ending. His face and ego were left battered and bruised. And his reputation? Well, he’s always been known as an entertainer and his journey has certainly entertained fans and spectators alike. So, credit to him.

It’s not clear if we’ll see Phil Brooks back in the octagon. But if we do, I hope it’s to promote a Wrestlemania, rather than to venture into a world that rewards the few and condemns pretenders through violence.

His record reads zero wins, one loss. And with his 38th Birthday fast approaching, I just can’t see that improving anytime soon.

Ronda Rousey; Revolutionary, Evolutionary, Transcendent. Also beats people up for fun.

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Ronda Rousey: Celebrating victory in Brazil.

If Ronda Rousey were to disappear into obscurity tomorrow, she would still go down as one of the most influential sports figures of all time. Rousey’s a character that you only need to listen to for a few seconds to realize that she’s another level. A superior level. Both physically and mentally. Her mental toughness was developed at a young age, having had problems with her speech as a child. This, along with being the daughter of a legendary Olympian Judoka shaped her into the person she is today. A champion.

For me, her fight career is secondary to what she represents. She has personified the American dream through perseverance and hard-work. Her “never say die” attitude is something that will go on to inspire anyone who cares to watch and listen to her.

On August 1st 2015, she faced Bethe Correia, an aggressively brash competitor and undefeated Brazilian that talked the talk and, prior to this fight, seemingly walked the walk. She dismantled two of Rousey’s close friends in Shayna Baszler and Jessamyn Duke. This, along with her controversial trash-talk (which Rousey claimed to allude to Rousey’s father’s suicide) made this fight simply unmissable.

Another factor in this fight was the fact that Rousey decided to fight Correia in her native Brazil. Brazil is incredibly nationalistic, and when UFC fighters from outside Brazil fight there, the crowd often chant “Uh vai morrer”, which is Portuguese for “You’re going to die”. It’s also worth noting that it’s not customary for a champion to fight the challenger in the challenger’s home country. Put yourself in Rousey’s shoes; How thrilled would you be about walking through a crowd that wished for your death? Doesn’t sound pleasant, right? Ronda Rousey isn’t a normal human being though, and seemingly those variables didn’t do anything to her confidence.

The main talking points of the fight were three fold; Firstly, Ronda Rousey’s entrance was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever seen. I’m not one for putting much merit into “psyching out” an opponent by a fight entrance, but this was something reminiscent of Mike Tyson’s entrance for his Leon Spinks fight. The reception she received sounded similar to a Justin Bieber concert (personally I’m not a fan of the Biebs), which seemingly rattled Correia. As she arrived to the cage, it was apparent Correia’s confidence had waned.

Another talking point was the strategy Rousey implemented. She usually fights with the strategy of forcing her opponent to grapple with her. Rousey’s Olympic pedigree in judo makes her impossible train for and defend against, therefore she usually exploits her world-class Judo skill-set. In this fight however her approach was reminiscent of legendary Brazilian MMA legend “Wanderlei Silva”, in that her focus was on winging as many punches toward her opponent’s head as she could, without having much technique behind them. She got hit, but she hit more, totally disregarding the risk of being damaged by her opponent.

The third talking point was the spectacular finish to the fight. Rousey delivered a crisp two-punch combination to Correia’s head, which left her faceplanted on the mat, in the very first round. The word “devastating” is overused in combat sports, but for this occasion, i’d say it’s the perfect description. As the referee pulled Rousey away from Corriea, she was heard sarcastically saying “don’t cry” to her unconscious opponent, adding insult to injury and putting a stamp on the fight. Not only did she beat Correia at her own game, but she looked menacing doing it. And not only did she knock out an undefeated and highly touted challenger, but she also put the rest of the division on watch. I think the lesson here is, don’t make Ronda Rousey mad.

Ronda Rousey: Celebrating victory.

Similar to Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, King Kong and even Jesus Christ, she’s a polarizing character. With regards to her competition, she dominates on a regular basis. Think about this; she hasn’t once come close to being vulnerable to defeat, something that is rare in a sport with so many ways to lose. She has not only advanced the fight game, but she’s also a vehicle for female empowerment through her achievements inside and outside the cage. I think she’s undoubtedly one of the most inspirational characters of the 21st centaury, and at 28 years old, she’s really only getting started.

Conor McGregor: The Uncrowned UFC King?

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The takeover is complete; on the 9th October 2014, history was made as a huge banner displaying an image of UFC Featherweight contender and Irish patron Conor McGregor was displayed on Dublin’s famed “O’Connell Street”.

NOTORIOUS: (Left to Right) Aisling Daly, Paddy Holohan, Cathal Pendred and Conor McGregor posing in front of banner displaying image of Conor McGregor seen on O"Connell Street.
Left to Right: Aisling Daly, Paddy Holohan, Cathal Pendred and Conor McGregor posing in front of banner displaying image of Conor McGregor on O’Connell Street.

The significance of this event is staggering. London is known for Soho. New York is known for Fifth Avenue. Dublin is known for O’Connell Street. And yet most people still consider mixed martial arts a largely underground sport. In Ireland however, the reach of the UFC has came leaps and bounds as a result of one man and one man only; “The Notorious” Conor McGregor. RTE channel “3e” has become the official Irish platform for Conor’s most recent UFC fights, much to the delight of Irish fight fans that get to view these events for free. Furthermore, the UFC is delighted to keep the freebies coming, with McGregor and the UFC signing a deal to broadcast his next fight on 3e (free of charge, of course). TV3 Group Head of Sport Kieran Holden commented on this, saying “(McGregor’s last fight) reached a massive 600,000 viewers, proving how quickly Mixed Martial Arts has grown in Ireland. Conor McGregor has quickly become one of the biggest names in Irish sport and we are thrilled to be able to show his next fight to the free-to-air viewers in Ireland.”

And yet, there’s a level of mystique and allure to the attraction that is, Conor McGregor. How did this happen? How did McGregor single handedly galvanise an entire country into viewing a sport favourably? And furthermore, how did McGregor provoke pre-existing UFC fans into “believing the hype” and following the fighter so relentlessly? For a start, there’s no question that the guys got talent, and his accolades speak for themselves. He was crowned an Irish amateur boxing champion at a young age, and was Cage Warriors first and only two-division champion. Partner that with the fact that he’s got a 16-2 MMA record, with 14 of his wins coming by way of knockout. It’s worth noting that his 2 loses came quite early in his career, and he’s evidentially improved dramatically since then.

But to suggest his talent for fighting is the only reason behind his native nation’s interest in the fighter (and the sport) would be ridiculous. McGregor is blessed with what’s known by many as “the gift of the gab”. His speeches are incredible. He hypes fights with a passion like no other. His poetic linguistics often hypnotises viewers into watching his fights. To summarise, he creates interest through what he says and how he says it. And let’s not get it twisted. This isn’t completely unheard of. It’s been done before. Muhammad Ali did it. Prince Naseem Hamed did it. Chael Sonnen did it. Floyd Mayweather continues to do it. Talking gets people into the tent. People tune into McGregor’s fights for two conflicting reasons; either they want to see the cocky, brash, Irish dude get his head knocked off his shoulders OR they want to see him triumph with a level of flair and confidence rarely seen in fighting.

There’s entertainment value to his words. There’s also entertainment value to his style of fighting. His managing of distance on the feet, as well as his crisp punching and acrobatic kicks are an enigma. He fights with the mentality that he has to finish his opponent, to the delight of his fans. And what’s amazing about McGregor, is that he usually does. You can’t tie down the reasoning behind McGregor’s meteoric rise in the UFC to one action or event. He’s a multifaceted character that appeals to an entire nation, and provokes dialogue from an entire sport. What’s most interesting about Conor McGregor though, is that he’s just getting started. At 26 years old, he’s ranked number 5 in official UFC Featherweight rankings, and seems to be posturing strongly for a title shot. He’s got everyone talking, including UFC President Dana White, who recently said: “If you go down the list (of UFC Featherweights), every one of those guys has fought Jose Aldo already. Conor hasn’t. So who do you line up next for the champ other than Conor?” He’s become Ireland’s most interesting man in less that 3 years, and continues to grow in popularity. And with whispers of the Aviva Stadium being mentioned as the venue for his next fight, it’s worth paying attention to how the next few months play out.

UFC 168. Wow.

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The anticipation for the rematch between Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman reminded me of some of the great rematches in boxing; Muhammad Ali Vs Joe Frazier, Manny Pacquiao Vs Juan Manuel Marquez, Lennox Lewis Vs Hasim Rahman to name a few.

There were still questions many had about the first fight. Was it a fluke? Was Chris Weidman in Anderson Silva’s league? Could Anderson Silva really hang with the best in his division at 38 years old? We all thought these questions would be answered tonight. But for many, Weidman’s victory was tainted.

The fight started with Anderson Silva looking very tentative on the feet. He seemed much more respectful of Chris Weidman’s skills than he did in the first fight and looked to strike from distance. Weidman clinched Anderson and attempted a takedown, which was stuffed. Very promising signs from Anderson.

Then we seen Anderson Silva attempt to gain the plum (or Muay Thai clinch) and strike with Weidman. We’ve seen this before; a perfect example would be the dismantling of Chris Leben in 2006. But unlike Leben, Weidman looked to present his own offense and clipped Anderson, forcing him on to the canvas. He landed devastating strike after devastating strike, before being tied up in Anderson’s guard.

As the round ended, I was overcome with tenseness and anticipation; it’s not that I wanted either fighter to win, I just wanted answers to the many questions I still had from the first fight. What was clearly apparent though, was that Anderson Silva had his work cut out and Weidman was dominating him. By miles.

The second round is a blur. Because trying to analyse individual strikes and events is completely redundant when you consider the ending. Anderson Silva threw a strong leg kick (which he’s done for the entirety of his career). The kick itself wasn’t out of the ordinary. But Chris Weidman’s reaction to the kick, as well as the impact of the kick was heart wrenching.

Weidman checked the kick strongly, which shattered Silva’s leg and may have ended his career. It’s one of the most gruesome sights I’ve seen in sports, and really drives home the idea of “combat sports”. Many refer to MMA and Boxing as “The Pain Game” and I can guarantee you there’s not many experiencing pain like Anderson Silva is at this time.

So, here’s the kicker (no pun intended); Did Weidman “leave no doubt” about who the best in the world is? There are two subjective answers to this question:

Yes – Checking kicks is a very functional technique that neutralizes opponents’ movement and stops leg kicks landing effectively. Weidman’s reactions were the direct reason for Anderson’s injury, thus the stoppage was because of Weidman and not because of Anderson just having a random accident.

Or….

No – This could have happened to anyone. Weidman got lucky and Anderson got injured as a direct result of Anderson’s kick and nothing else. We need a rematch when Anderson gets back. Weidman didn’t blatantly beat Anderson and for this win to hold any credibility, Weidman needs to beat Anderson again.

So. Which side are you on? After reading hundreds of tweets, I wasn’t surprised to see many of you calling this fight a “fluke” and a “fraud” and siding with “No”. But I was disappointed…

The idea that “ignorance is bliss” isn’t completely true; ignorance is only bliss to the ignorant. Everyone else has to hear ignorance and either attempt to combat it or just ignore it. With this though, I really feel the need to stress the genius of Chris Weidman and combat ignorance.

I’m certain Weidman didn’t expect to end a fight by checking a leg kick. But in a sport as competitive as MMA, defence is as important as offence. By implementing the defensive strategy of checking kicks, Weidman avoided taking unnecessary shots to his legs (thus staying mobile and away from Anderson Silva’s devastating strikes) and also, quite obviously, incapacitated his opponent.

John Danaher (Chris Weidman’s Jiu Jitsu coach) amazingly criticised Weidman’s performance in the first Anderson Silva fight by stating, “I didn’t like how he was taking those leg kicks”. There were improvements made from the first fight, which resulted in Weidman’s win.

It wasn’t a complete freak of nature. The leg break happened as a result of an action by Chris Weidman. The same way a knockout can happen as a direct action from an opponent. Although it was wasn’t meant to completely end the fight, it did.

To call the win a “fluke” is silly. Was the ending shocking? Absolutely. And could Anderson maybe have did more later on in the fight to win? Absolutely. But the fact remains, the events unfolded how they unfolded. These things happen. Actions have consequences.

I’m not dismissing Anderson Silva’s ability by any means. He’s by far the greatest the sport has ever seen. But Weidman won tonight. So give the guy his dues and stop acting like this event is as unbelievable as aliens landing on the White House.