Ben Askren is a free agent!

[Brent Smith]

Brandon and I have discussed this and I understand his (and your) point too. I generally watch MMA from a fan's perspective. Unless it is a training partner/teammate fighting.

From a fighter's perspective the guy is an absolute beast at "what he does".
From a fan's perspective, "what he does", is just not entertaining to me.

I hope that doesn't come off as disrespectful of his skill set because in no way am I criticizing his ability to do "what he does". If that makes sense.

I can respect that opinion. Different strokes for different folks

[Brent Smith]

I thought Dana said in a press lease he wounldn't sign Askren?

That he did. Its really hard to believe anything that comes out of Dana's mouth though.

[Sam Sales]

Dana has made a point to say on more than 1 occasion, 'we don't want Bellator's rejects' etc etc. Ben is exactly that, even though he is an undefeated champion. Bjork/Bellator don't want Askren because he just wrestlefucks people, and also Ben thinks his value in the marketplace is much higher than it actually is (Bjorks words).
When all is said and done, if Bellator don't even want their undefeated champion, then why would the UFC want him.

[bobby rivers]

I don't care about Dana or Bjorn's political/contractual disputes or reasons. 12-0. Nobody has beat him. People act like its easy to 'wrestlefuck' elite fighters while taking little damage and grinding their soul out with all hopes of victory.

[stevenbalmer]

He probably deserves to be in the ufc but he doesn't deserve to fight GSP right away like he's been spouting off about, his past opponents are a combined 0-4 in the ufc (2 opponents with ufc experience)

[bobby rivers]

At the end of vid, how Chael explains it is exactly how I feel it should be

[bobby rivers]

Oops. This vid.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsQHsgFxk0E

[Brent Smith]

Ben Askren close to signing with ONE FC

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/12/3...ng-with-one-fc



All signs point to Ben Askren heading to ONE FC.

After the former Bellator welterweight champion was not offered a contract by the UFC, he turned down an offer from World Series of Fighting to verbally agree to a deal with ONE FC, sources close to the situation confirmed with MMAFighting.com.

BloodyElbow.com reported on Tuesday that the deal was done according to their sources, however, MMAFighting.com has learned Askren has yet to officially sign the contract. That is expected to be done very shortly.

The deal Askren has verbally agreed to is an exclusive, two-year six-fight contract. ONE FC is expected to formally announce arguably their biggest acquisition in the coming days, however, Askren will not attend ONE FC 13 this Friday in the Philippines. His debut fight and date have yet to be finalized.

Askren was not available to comment on the pending deal.

WSOF executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz confirmed with MMAFighting.com that Askren turned down their offer.

"He chose to go somewhere else," Abdel-Aziz said. "[ONE FC] are great guys and they are going to take care of him. I wish him the best of luck."

Askren tweeted Sunday that while he will be starting his fight camps at Roufusport in Milwaukee, WI, he will end them at the Singapore-based Evolve MMA, which has close ties to ONE FC. That news sparked rumors that Askren was close to signing with ONE FC.

When contacted by MMAFighting.com about these rumors Sunday night, ONE FC president Victor Cui said, "We will have some huge news to announce in the next few days."

That news appears to be that the 12-0 former Olympian is headed to Asia's strongest promotion.

[Matt Young]

I thought Dana said in a press lease he wounldn't sign Askren?

UFC is an entertainment company. Askren is not what the majority of people would consider entertainment. I think Dana will stick with his comment and let Asken win some fights outside Bellator and then they will see. UFC will take him if the money is right, Askren just thinks he is worth more than what everyone else thinks he is worth

[Kyle Spalla]

Askren in a Pride rule set with elbows. Might spell trouble for him those soccer kicks add up quick. Then again who does One FC really have for him at 170? Phil Baroni? Anyone know if Askren could make 155? I feel he would find more challenge at 155 in One FC