B. Askren (photo) remains undefeated in MMA. Photo: Bellator/Disclosure
Recently crowned welterweight champion at the ONE FC Asian event, Ben Askren may finally be closer to receiving the long-awaited chance to fight in the UFC. According to the president of the largest MMA organization in the world, Dana White, the undefeated North American could be signed if he continues his winning streak, which has now reached 14.
Last year, Askren left Bellator, the organization of which he was the champion, to try to sign a contract with the UFC. However, after the negotiations failed, it was up to the athlete to join ONE FC, having already had two fights since then: in Singapore, he submitted Bakhtlyar Abbasov, and, last Friday (29), in Abu Dhabi, he knocked out Nobutatsu Suzuki to become champion.
“If he keeps winning, he might get a chance here,” said White, in a press conference after UFC 177. The director also stated that the public disagreements between him and Askren should not be an obstacle to his entry into Ultimate. “Ben Askren talked a lot of s*** when he left, but I don't care about that. Let's see how the boy fights. I do hold a grudge if you're an idiot. I hold a grudge until the day I die. But I don't do that with fighters. These guys are different from everyone else. They're tough, that's what they do for a living. If Tito Ortiz returned to the UFC, anyone can join. Trust me, there is no one on Earth I hated more than Tito. And Tito came back. So, let’s see”, concluded Dana.
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