This Is How The MMA World Reacted To Ben Askren’s Retirement

In the last few hours, Ben Askren as announced his retirement from MMA. ‘Funky’ held world titles in Bellator and ONE Championship and after being traded with Demetrious Johnson at the end of 2018, competed three times in the UFC.

Although his UFC career got off to a winning start after beating former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, Askren went on to lose to Jorge Masvidal via a devastating flying knee knockout after just five seconds, and just last month, was submitted by Demian Maia at UFC Singapore

Askren’s announcement comes just days after Maia encouraged him to continue fighting.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Askren said that part of the reason for his retirement was because he needs a hip replacement.

“I’m retiring from the sport of MMA. Frankly, I’m retiring from everything.

“I’ve been having hip problems, and I finally had the discussion with my doctor … and I need a [left] hip replacement. So, man, that’s it for me. I’ve been thinking about this for a week and what I was going to say, and I’m filled with gratitude for how great of a career I’ve been able to have, even though obviously in the end it did not turn out to go my way.”

The 35 year old Askren, who finishes his professional MMA career with a record of 19-2-1, did go on to say that he wasn’t blaming the hip injury on his two losses inside the UFC Octagon.

“I don’t want people to think I’m using [my hip injury] as a reason why I lost. I lost because I wasn’t good enough, plain and simple, my opponents beat me, they were better than me. And I want that to be said out there.”


Following Ben Askren’s announcement that he is set to retire, this is how the MMA world reacted to the news:


We will add more reactions to Ben Askren’s announcement, as the MMA world continues to react to the news.


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