Eight years ago today, Ben Askren defeated Douglas Lima in his second defense of the Bellator Welterweight Championship. He was seemingly joyful and took to Twitter to diss Jake Paul, his next opponent. Ben Askren said, “When you spend 25 minutes in a cage with savages like this guy people like Jake Paul don’t really scare you all that much.”
When you spend 25 minutes in a cage with savages like this guy people like @jakepaul don’t really scare you all that much https://t.co/zaOemyozDE
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 7, 2021
The win improved Ben’s record to 10-0 as he would go on to defend his title two more times. After leaving Bellator, Askren transitioned to ONE and won by TKO, taking just 84 seconds.
Ben Askren, a former UFC, Bellator, and ONE Welterweight champion who retired after suffering two consecutive defeats in 2020. But after looking at the noise Jake made after just two matches, tempted Ben out of retirement. Despite looking to fight the likes of Conor McGregor, Dillon Danis, and Michael Bisping, Jake settled to have a match with the Olympic wrestler, Askren.
Read More: Ben Askren reveals he went into Rocky Style training to prepare fighting Jake Paul
Ben Askren looking to shred Jake Paul
The likes of Leon Edwards and Demetrious Johnson support Jake and think it’ll be an easy win. Yet Zahabi, the Tri-Star gym head coach, disagrees and believes Ben will use all his experience to make the fight dirty and win.
Zahabisaid, “Ben is a wrestler, yes and his forte is not striking, we all know that. He’s not the greatest striker. But he’s been in there with killers. He’s been in there with legitimately dangerous human beings. Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima — I can go on and on, the list is super long.”
Ben Askren stands prior to his welterweight bout against Demian Maia of Brazil during the UFC Fight Night. (Credits – Getty Images)
Ben has never waivered in front of difficult opponents, he’s a true competitor. For the last 15 years, he has taken more jabs and kicks than Jake can even imagine, and in combat sports, experience means a lot. A bloody fight awaits us all, will the Youtuber turned UFC fighter win or the Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren, come out on top.
