https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/502624/feed Ben Askren is an American MMA fighter with the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). He is a former welterweight champion in Bellator and One Championship. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Reuters,dpa Reuters,dpa Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will bring another year of seismic shifts in boxing to an end in Miami on Friday night in a mismatch that illustrates how much the sport has changed, with online fame now almost as important as punching power. YouTuber-turned-pugilist Paul, who is stepping up from cruiserweight, is seeking to burnish his reputation against the 36-year-old British former heavyweight champ, who was knocked down four times as he lost his most recent fight, an IBF heavyweight title bout... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/boxing/article/3336958/jake-paul-v-anthony-joshua-mismatch-latest-show-how-much-boxing-landscape-has-changed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/boxing/article/3336958/jake-paul-v-anthony-joshua-mismatch-latest-show-how-much-boxing-landscape-has-changed?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:00:20 +0000 Hold fire on that Ben Askren vs Jake Paul boxing match, folks. The “Funky” one thinks it may not happen after all. Retired former UFC star Askren (19-2) claimed last week he had accepted a fight against Paul in Los Angeles in March. The 23-year-old YouTuber seemingly called out every MMA fighter under the sun following his knockout of former NBA star Nate Robinson last month. But the 36-year-old Askren posted a video on Instagram suggesting Paul is backing out. “I’m retired, coaching wrestling,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3115638/ben-askren-thinks-coward-jake-paul-backing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3115638/ben-askren-thinks-coward-jake-paul-backing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Dec 2020 04:12:35 +0000 Fresh from signing with the Professional Fighters League, Anthony Pettis is backing fellow former UFC star Ben Askren’s decision to box YouTuber Jake Paul – and has already offered his assistance. The pair trained at Roufusport under coach Duke Roufus before the 36-year-old Askren (19-2) hung up his gloves for the second time following a brief but exciting run in the UFC. The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champ is getting back in the ring, however, to box Paul in March. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3115322/pfls-anthony-pettis-offers-help-ben-askren?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3115322/pfls-anthony-pettis-offers-help-ben-askren?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Dec 2020 01:51:44 +0000 Retired MMA star Ben Askren has agreed to a boxing match against Jake Paul – and vowed to “humble” the “deluded” YouTuber. UFC legend Chael Sonnen first tweeted out the fight poster on Tuesday night for the March 28 event in Los Angeles, California, which will be promoted by Triller. Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champ Ben Askren, who retired for the second time last November after a brief but memorable 1-2 run in the UFC, confirmed the news to BJPenn.com’s Cole Shelton,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3115106/former-ufc-star-ben-asken-agrees-box-jake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3115106/former-ufc-star-ben-asken-agrees-box-jake?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Dec 2020 08:33:37 +0000 Former UFC fighters Ben Askren, Eddie Alvarez and others have teamed up on social media to give retrospective financial advice to the next generation of MMA fighters. The tips come at a time where Dana White’s promotion continues its dispute over fighter pay – namely with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and “BMF” belt winner Jorge Masvidal – and comments over the weekend from welterweight contender Mike Perry lamenting the US government’s tax system. White pushed back on both Jones’ and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091065/ufc-former-stars-ben-askren-and-eddie-alvarez?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091065/ufc-former-stars-ben-askren-and-eddie-alvarez?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jun 2020 13:00:21 +0000 Ben Askren is an Olympian and decorated MMA fighter. But he is adamant that never the twain shall meet, despite long-running efforts, and a new one out of Asia, to have MMA included in the Olympic Games. While stopping short of saying “over my dead body”, Askren told the Post: “I don’t really see the need for MMA to become an Olympic sport. I think the Olympics is corrupt. I think the IOC [International Olympic Committee] is an awful organisation, and I think the world would be better off not... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3050603/former-ufc-star-ben-askren-doesnt-want-mma?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3050603/former-ufc-star-ben-askren-doesnt-want-mma?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Feb 2020 04:41:24 +0000 There was a point last year that Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal wouldn’t have even been able to peacefully get along if they saw each other in Whole Foods. After a highly-charged build-up to their UFC 239 fight in July – which Masvidal sensationally won in five seconds with a flying knee knockout – there seemed to be no love lost. But things have cooled between the two former foes, especially since Askren’s second retirement from MMA in November. “Gamebred” said he was “all right” with the former... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3045017/ufc-jorge-masvidal-ben-askrens-fighter-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3045017/ufc-jorge-masvidal-ben-askrens-fighter-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:53:06 +0000 Jorge Masvidal famously threatened to slap Ben Askren if he saw him at Whole Foods. But it seems “Gamebred” may be ready to bury the hatchet. It took just five seconds for Masvidal to knock Askren out with a flying knee in July, ending the former Bellator and One Championship title-holder’s unbeaten record. Askren has since retired from MMA for a second time, on the back of a third-round submission loss to Demian Maia in October, citing a need for hip surgery. “Nah, we never met at Whole Foods... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3043435/ufc-jorge-masvidal-all-right-ben-askren-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3043435/ufc-jorge-masvidal-all-right-ben-askren-now?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Dec 2019 10:38:44 +0000 After coming out of retirement and swapping the Singapore-based One Championship to finally try his hand in the UFC, Ben Askren’s career in the octagon started as hoped. With an unblemished 18-0 record coming in, a first-round submission of former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 last March signalled his intent in the division. But he lost his next two fights in bad fashion: a vicious, record-breaking flying knee knockout by Jorge Masvidal within five seconds in July, and three... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3043403/ufc-ben-askren-talks-challenges-mma-fighter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3043403/ufc-ben-askren-talks-challenges-mma-fighter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Dec 2019 07:36:44 +0000 Such was the animosity in the build-up to their fight, Jorge Masvidal threatened to punch Ben Askren if he saw him at Whole Foods even after knocking him out in five seconds with a flying knee. But it seems the two are on something approaching the same page now – at least when it comes to Colby Covington. “Shout out to @Benaskren who never tucked tail after his loss. Made no excuses. Took it on the chin and never censored the haters like a coward,” Masvidal tweeted on Sunday night. The tweet was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3042227/ufc-245-jorge-masvidal-ben-askren-agree-colby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3042227/ufc-245-jorge-masvidal-ben-askren-agree-colby?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Dec 2019 03:30:00 +0000 Georges St-Pierre’s coach has claimed the former UFC two-weight champion would have no problem stepping in at UFC 245 if Colby Covington or Kamaru Usman got injured. St-Pierre hung up his gloves for the second time after coming out of retirement to win Michael Bisping’s middleweight title in November 2017. Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi thinks the 38-year-old would be willing and able to win his old welterweight title back though on short notice later this month. “He trains all the time,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3040620/ufc-georges-st-pierre-could-kill-anybody-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3040620/ufc-georges-st-pierre-could-kill-anybody-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:55:26 +0000 Jorge Masvidal knows what it’s like to have to bounce back from a two-fight losing streak. So he was disappointed to see Ben Askren hang up his gloves last week. Askren’s long-awaited arrival in the UFC brought plenty of thrills to the Octagon in 2019. But after a winning start against former champion Robbie Lawler, his title hopes were shattered by that flying knee from Masvidal – or “MGM Grand Buffet to the face” as “Gamebred” put it. “It’s not bad though, second fight in the UFC he breaks a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3039772/ufc-jorge-masvidal-says-ben-askren-retired?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3039772/ufc-jorge-masvidal-says-ben-askren-retired?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Nov 2019 09:23:49 +0000 Ben Askren, one of most elite-level grapplers to grace mixed martial arts, announced his retirement from the sport on Monday having lost two fights on the trot and requiring a hip replacement operation. “Funky” (professional record 19–2, 1 no contest) was a former Bellator and One Championship title-holder before making his much-anticipated debut in the UFC in March. The 35-year-old defeated former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler via a controversial bulldog choke, before losing to Jorge... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3038432/mma-fighters-react-ufcs-ben-askrens-abrupt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3038432/mma-fighters-react-ufcs-ben-askrens-abrupt?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2019 09:40:36 +0000 Dana White has thrown his support behind Ben Askren after his third-round submission defeat by Demian Maia in Singapore last weekend prompted questions of retirement. The 35-year-old (19-2) was part of a blockbuster trade with One Championship a year ago this week. Former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson headed the other way, winning his first three fights this year to claim the Asian MMA organisation’s flyweight grand prix. “Funky” has fared less well, however. A controversial win over Robbie... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035617/ufc-dana-white-backs-ben-askren-continue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035617/ufc-dana-white-backs-ben-askren-continue?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Oct 2019 13:48:25 +0000 Demian Maia was quite rightly basking in the glory of his stunning victory over Ben “Funky” Askren backstage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium late into Saturday night. The Brazilian took the gathered media through the lightning-fast move that put him into position for the rear-naked choke that ended the bout, then talked a little about his hopes for his immediate future and the two fights which the 41-year-old hopes will bring the curtain down on an astonishing career. But Maia kept returning his... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035541/ben-askrens-ufc-career-just-warming-retiring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035541/ben-askrens-ufc-career-just-warming-retiring?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Oct 2019 08:12:05 +0000 Ben Askren has admitted he could retire again after a whirlwind first year in the UFC concluded with a submission defeat by Demian Maia in Singapore which left him staring into the wasteland of the welterweight rankings with a 1-2 record. “I mean retirement is definitely something I’m considering, I’d be lying to you if I said I was not,” Askren said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “It’s a time-cost analysis, I’ve got a lot of things I want to do in my life. I’m a really busy guy, there are a lot... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035296/ufc-ben-askren-considering-retirement-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035296/ufc-ben-askren-considering-retirement-after?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:33:01 +0000 Brazilian Demian Maia took a huge chunk out of Ben Askren’s UFC hopes when he slipped in a rear-naked choke that had the American tapping out at 3.54 of the third round in their welterweight headliner at Fight Night 162 in Singapore. There had been a lot of punches thrown from the two famed grapplers early, before Askren took his opponent down with time ticking away in the third. Almost immediately he lost the initiative and against the BJJ legend like Maia, such a loss always proves fatal. “My... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3034720/ufc-ben-askren-taps-demian-maias-rear-naked?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3034720/ufc-ben-askren-taps-demian-maias-rear-naked?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Oct 2019 14:55:51 +0000 He’s made headlines for saying Conor McGregor should “shut up” and that Colby Covington is a “terrible person.” But today Ben “Funky” Askren is here to talk about, well, Ben “Funky” Askren. “Here I am and this is big,” says the American. That would be Saturday night’s bout with Brazilian Demian Maia (27-9), headline event on the UFC Fight Night 162 card at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Askren (19-1, one no contest) is the wild card in a stacked UFC welterweight pack. Two fights in to his career... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3034380/ufc-ben-askren-partied-move-masvidal-there?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3034380/ufc-ben-askren-partied-move-masvidal-there?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Oct 2019 07:10:57 +0000