Ben Askren is a free agent!

[bobby rivers]

Oops, Jack was right..

Not that you're wrong David.

[Sam Sales]

but I can see him beating anybody in that division.

Problem is, that beating is delivered by an Askren snoozefest. Nobody except the 'hardcores' care about Ben's 'next level top game' and 'stifling pressure' and 'amazing movement' *yawn*. That's not entertaining to many, and there's the problem for Ben. I just cant appreciate that top pressure, constant stifling of the action, throwing light energy conserving punches for 25 minutes kind of game.
As for telling people to stop comparing Askren and Fitch, that's nuts. You said yourself they are similar, so why wouldn't people compare the 2? I think Fitch would own Askren in an MMA fight. He is better everywhere except wrestling.

[Tom Carbone]

Its all about finding Askren a good match up. Nobody wants to see him hold a striker for a whole fight, but set him up with another grappler and I'll watch.

[David Rosado]

Problem is, that beating is delivered by an Askren snoozefest. Nobody except the 'hardcores' care about Ben's 'next level top game' and 'stifling pressure' and 'amazing movement' *yawn*. That's not entertaining to many, and there's the problem for Ben. I just cant appreciate that top pressure, constant stifling of the action, throwing light energy conserving punches for 25 minutes kind of game.
As for telling people to stop comparing Askren and Fitch, that's nuts. You said yourself they are similar, so why wouldn't people compare the 2? I think Fitch would own Askren in an MMA fight. He is better everywhere except wrestling.

IDK man, maybe I haven't seen enough Askren fights. But the fights that I've seen have been entertaining. Maybe I'm just lucky and only catch his good ones. I don't get what people dislike. I think people are so used to seeing guys stand and bang that they don't find ground and pound entertaining.

[bobby rivers]

I realize it is about entertainment. But I am more than a hardcore fan of the Ufc or any promotion for that matter. I am only concerned with the evolution of mixed martial arts, which is bigger than the fighters themselves. It all begins with finding the best competitors, and letting them compete. Analyze the results and boom, evolution. If there is a dominant 'boring' fighter out there, find someone to beat him. Or adapt. I don't care what the casual fan thinks. If there is an unbeaten fighter out there, and he isn't allowed to compete because his style isn't exciting(no matter how effective it might be), the sport will be the only thing to suffer in the end.

[Jack LaBarge]

As for telling people to stop comparing Askren and Fitch, that's nuts. You said yourself they are similar, so why wouldn't people compare the 2? I think Fitch would own Askren in an MMA fight. He is better everywhere except wrestling.

I don't think they're similar. That's why I put it quotes "similar" my sarcasm because everybody seems to think they're a like. Sorry, I failed on being clear

As far as snoozefest. I could give a shit about fans who want to see kickboxing matches. Not real MMA fans. They can go watch Glory. I know what your saying Dana wants finishes. Which Dana has help make the UFC a kickboxing league. Since everybody takes the greasing up bath the night before. Then we get those threads about where is Jiu Jitsu in MMA. There would be a easy fix to that...rashguards.

Fitch owning Askren in MMA.....IMO...not a chance....ever....not even if the stars were aligned. Fitch gets way to much credit.

[Sam Sales]

If Askrens ground and pound was devastating, like say a Mark Munoz type GnP, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

There will be plenty of top level wrestlers that come through that will have that devastating GnP. Not allowing Askren in the UFC isn't going to slow the evolution of MMA one iota.

Love the idea of rashguards in the UFC/pro MMA. Should 100% happen.

[bobby rivers]

There will be plenty of top level wrestlers that come through that will have that devastating GnP. Not allowing Askren in the UFC isn't going to slow the evolution of MMA one iota.

How can you be so sure? It sets a precedent. To have devastating g&p you have to give space. People consider Ben boring because he refuses to give space, leading to weaker punches.

By telling successful fighters that they won't be signed because of their style, this will absolutely hinder evolution. The competitors will be forced to change a successful style, for a job. It isn't about the sport anymore when that happens. Its about a product. There are enough issues with rules and judging already. Let the fighters fight. Anyway they choose.

[sean applegate]

How can you be so sure? It sets a precedent. To have devastating g&p you have to give space. People consider Ben boring because he refuses to give space, leading to weaker punches.

By telling successful fighters that they won't be signed because of their style, this will absolutely hinder evolution. The competitors will be forced to change a successful style, for a job. It isn't about the sport anymore when that happens. Its about a product. There are enough issues with rules and judging already. Let the fighters fight. Anyway they choose.

Yea, it may be boring to most, but he is winning. He deserves to fight the best just based on the fact that he is winning. I'm not gonna lie, I want to see it. Gsp vs askren sounds awesome to me. I'd like to see some of gsp's Jiu Jitsu come into play.

[rickdawson]

The UFC would be FOOLISH not to pick him up.