UFC: Ben Askren considering retirement after Demian Maia loss – ‘I’d be lying if I said I was not’
- Askren says all he wanted was an opportunity in the UFC, and that ‘I have not executed on that’ after back-to-back defeats leave him with 1-2 record
- ‘I’ve got a lot of things I want to do in my life … can I place my time better somewhere else?’
“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 of things I’m passionate about and I love. Spending 30 hours a week on MMA-related stuff, can I place my time better somewhere else is definitely a thought process that crossed my mind.”
The 35-year old was part of a blockbuster trade a year ago to the day on Monday, with UFC legend Demetrious Johnson going the other way to One Championship.
A former welterweight champion in One and Bellator, Askren’s UFC career began with a controversial win against Robbie Lawler in March before a record five-second knockout by Jorge Masvidal in July.
“All I wanted was an opportunity. I got it, so it would be hard to be bitter or disgruntled in any way,” he said. “I have not executed on that opportunity, that’s on me. Part of me wants to fight more. I thought I was doing well in the Demian Maia fight.”
