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Nicolas Atkin

The UFC and One Championship are set for the biggest trade in mixed martial arts history with Ben Askren set to swap places with Demetrious Johnson, according to a report by ESPN.
Johnson, the UFC’s former flyweight champion, could be released from his contract to sign with Singapore-based One, said veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.
One Championship would in turn release Askren to finally make his long-awaited move to the UFC, with Helwani reporting all parties are hopeful a deal can be reached soon.
Chatri Sityodtong, CEO and chairman of One, told a conference call last week former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez was “the first of many signings of global superstars” for his organisation.

“We’re upgrading our roster everywhere,” Sityodtong said. “We’ll make some major announcements. You guys will be surprised.
“Every free agent should think about One if they want to fight on the biggest stage and get paid like a world champion should get paid. That’s our proposition.”

More on the proposed Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren “trade” in the works from today’s A&TBG show. Full episode up shortly. It was one of my favorites so far. pic.twitter.com/0ewgmtTeqD
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 24, 2018

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“Mighty Mouse” Johnson would certainly fit the bill, having gone 13 fights undefeated with 11 title defences before his majority decision loss to Henry Cejudo in August.
The 32-year-old is still number two in UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings despite his legendary reign being snapped, and reportedly has multiple fights left on his contract.

Eddie Alvarez blames UFC business model for exit, saying One Championship offer was ‘too good to turn down’
However, Johnson’s head coach at the AMC Pankration gym, Matt Hume, also serves as One’s vice-president of operations.
Former Bellator welterweight champion Askren, 34, is undefeated in 18 fights with one no contest, and announced his retirement after a first-round victory in just 57 seconds against Japan’s Shinya Aoki last November.
But Askren tweeted on Monday there was a “98 per cent” chance of him joining UFC. He had also mentioned after the Aoki fight he was interested in returning to face UFC welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre or current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Conor McGregor wants ‘next in line’ if Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC rematch is off the cards


Anyone know another Russian that needs humbled the old country way? pic.twitter.com/tEdSoUSX45
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 25, 2018

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

Eddie Alvarez and Shinya Aoki could settle trilogy at One Championship debut in Tokyo
“Now you’re all in big trouble,” Askren wrote in another tweet after the news of the potential trade broke.
A former Olympic wrestler for the US, Askren competed at the 2008 Beijing Games. He made his professional MMA debut in 2009 and joined Bellator in 2010.
The American signed a two-year, six-fight contract with One in December 2013, and is considered one of the best fighters never to have competed in the UFC.

ONE Championship: Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

ONE Championship: Superbon insists his longevity, success are rooted in discipline over sacrifice

ONE Championship: Mohammad Siasarani finally gets coveted contract – now he wants the belt

ONE Championship: Liu Mengyang believes win over Tawanchai is ‘turning point of my career’

ONE Championship

Ben Askren-Demetrious Johnson trade close for UFC and One Championship

Ben Askren looks set to finally make the move to UFC. Photo: One Championship

Henry Cejudo, left, hits Demetrious Johnson during their UFC flyweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 227 in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 15: Demetrious Johnson (top) takes down Wilson Reis (bottom) during their Flyweight Championship bout on UFC Fight Night at the Sprint Center on April 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Eddie Alvarez blames UFC business model for exit, saying One Championship offer was ‘too good to turn down’

Eddie Alvarez is set to make his debut for One Championship in early 2019. Photo: AFP

In this Wednesday Nov. 2, 2016 photo, UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, left, spars during a workout in Philadelphia. Alvarez is scheduled to face featherweight champion Connor McGregor to defend his lightweight belt on Nov. 12 in what will be the first UFC card to be held in New York after the state legislature legalized the sport earlier this year. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

Chatri Sityodtong. SCMP Pictures (Handout)

Singapore's Angela Lee celebrates after defeating Brazil's Istela Nunes during the Mixed Martial Art (MMA) One Women's Atomweight Championship on May 26, 2017 at the Indoor Stadium in Singapore. / AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Conor McGregor, left, taunts Eddie Alvarez during a lightweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 205, early Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York. McGregor won the bout. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Eddie Alvarez and Shinya Aoki could settle trilogy at One Championship debut in Tokyo

Eddie Alvarez is set to debut with One Championship in early 2019. Photo: AP

Shinya Aoki in action for One Championship in 2015

Shinya Aoki in action for One Championship in 2016

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez takes part in UFC 205 Open Workouts at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2016 in New York City. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Shinya Aoki weighs in

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ESPN reports both parties hopeful of completing swap soon
Johnson would be One’s biggest signing, while Askren has long been touted for UFC



Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Ben Askren-Demetrious Johnson trade close for UFC and One Championship

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} ESPN reports both parties hopeful of completing swap soon Johnson would be One’s biggest signing, while Askren has long been touted for UFC

ESPN reports both parties hopeful of completing swap soon

Johnson would be One’s biggest signing, while Askren has long been touted for UFC