Ben Askren has a simple secret to his MMA success as One Championship comes to Shanghai – ‘I just don’t get hit’
Former Olympic wrestler is 16-0 since taking up sport in 2009
Former Olympic wrestler Ben “Funky” Askren has developed into arguably the most complete mixed martial arts fighter on the planet and the secret to his success inside the cage is simple.
“I just don’t get hit,” says the American.
The 33-year-old puts his One Championship world welterweight title on the line at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Centre on Saturday night against unheralded Swede Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam (9-3) and Askren has no doubt the result will be the same as it has so far been the 16 times he has stepped inside the cage since turning to the sport in 2009.
“Oh, I’ll win,” says Askren. “And then I’ll look for another fight as soon as possible. This is what I do for a living. I’m only young for so long and I haven’t been that active in previous years so I just need to fight as much as possible.”
Askren has carved himself a unique niche in MMA, a modern-day version of a prize fighter hunting down purses and opponents wherever they might be. It’s taken him from the Bellator organisation in North America to Asia’s largest show in the One Championship and what’s been remarkable on his travels is the gap between Askren and whomever MMA has thrown at him.