Ben Askren first fight in Columbia

[Retired]

Exciting news!
Big news everyone I just found out when my first fights will be. I have one planned for Columbia, MO on Feb. 7 in the Headhunters Fight League and my second will be in Miami on Feb 26. I will be fighting 170 in both shows. I don’t have a 100% for sure opponent for either show yet, but I will let you know as soon as possible. Training has been going really well, I head down to coconut creek next week to train at the main ATT facility, I am very excited. Check back soon for details, thanks for the support.

http://benaskren.net/

[Flinch]

Congrats Ben, I'm sure you'll get a good showing from yours fans.. and God have mercy on whoever you fight.

[coachAB]

Did ben win his fight last night and who was his opponent?

[RP-in-Nebraska]

on Feb. 7 in the Headhunters Fight League and my second will be in Miami on Feb 26.

[coachAB]

My bad RP thought it said January.

[northwestfightclub]

Ben,
Good luck at your fight! If you are interested we are having a show Maryville April 11. Our shows have over a thousand fans at them. Let us know if you are interested in fighting. You can check us out at http://www.northwestfightclub@hotmail.com. Feel free to give either of us a call our #'s are on the websight.Once again good luck
Good Luck!
Joshua Wright

[stillman]

Does anyone know if Ben is fighting Amateur or Pro? I seem to remember reading somewhere it will be Professional.

Or maybe I'm just getting old :lol: :lol:

[Retired]

To clear up some confusion. I am not Ben Askren, I just found this on his website and reposted with a link at the bottom.

[Louden]

To clear up some confusion. I am not Ben Askren, I just found this on his website and reposted with a link at the bottom.

Stop being so shy Ben. :oops:

[Clark_W_Griswald]

I just heard on ESPN's MMA LIVE that it will be Ben's PRO debut. What is his ameature record or has he even fought any fights yet?

[jaket89]

this is ben's first mma fight, he decided to go straight to pro and not fight any amateur fights.

[Louden]

Not that I don't have faith in Ben, I would hope he at least starts from the bottom of the barrell when it comes to his first couple pro fights. It's just smart to start yourself off slow rather than jumping in. Look what happened to Marcelo Garcia, widely regarding as the best pure grappler p4p in the world and he lost his pro debut due to starting too high up the ladder.

[heftylefty]

Clark how do you like MMA Live on espn.com? I love it I wish they would find a spot for somewhere on one of the espn channels.

[Clark_W_Griswald]

Its a great show and it should be on tv if its not already. I don't know if you have ever seen Inside MMA on HDNET with Bas Rutten, but thats one of the sickest shows on tv! This was one of the main reasons I bought DirectTVs HD services and its been we'll worth the money. I got to watch the Under card of the Affliction show this last week and it was like 5 great fights. ITs already paid for itself.

[heftylefty]

Clark I don't have DirectTV but I have seen the show on line and you're right it is a pretty cool show.

[The Godfather]

Here's a link about Ben on MMAJunkie.com, which is a site that I frequent often (Lots of good info). I didn't realize he is a Purple belt in BJJ. Anyway, enjoy.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/13837/collegi ... -feb-7.mma (http://mmajunkie.com/news/13837/collegiate-wrestling-stand-out-ben-askren-makes-pro-mma-debut-feb-7.mma)

[jonathan]

Just got word from Tyron that he will be making his pro debut as well at this event. I will be putting up more information this weekend.

[The Godfather]

jonathan
Site Admin

Posts: 1499
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:56 am
Location: Lee's Summit
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Who's gay.....

[Mark Bader]

Good new people, I am heading back to MO to cover all the fights on Saturday night, I am gonna bring my camera and record them and we are planning on having LIVE streaming coverage of the event. I believe it starts at 8pm, if for some reason you want to watch but will not be free during the fights... never fear because just like everything else on purefight, all of the videos from this coverage will be on demand so you can get on purefight and watch them anytime.

I hope to see you there: For ticket into go to headhunterevents.com

[The Godfather]

http://mmajunkie.com/news/13915/fight-p ... ed-mma.mma (http://mmajunkie.com/news/13915/fight-path-after-2008-olympics-ben-askrens-few-options-included-mma.mma)

Another article about Mr. Askren...

[heftylefty]

Any results?

[wardy]

Askren took him down and immediately passed his guard and beat the hell out of him. Quick TKO...

They have the fight up on http://www.purefight.com

[Blue Palasky]

Not too impressive though...

[wrestling_est_beforeBC]

True it was not that impressive, and he did beet the crap out of him on the mat. But think about it, it is his first fight. It is just like somebody else's first fight or even first ever wrestling match. He will learn to fight on his feet. And will continue to improve, and who knows maybe he will find some style that nobody has heard of and woop up on GSP sometime :lol:

[GotMiller]

Definitely needs practice though, I was scared him jumping right in professionally would hurt him! It'll be nice watching him and TWood both in the same weight class!!!!

Any chances either of them meet up with Johnny "tapout" Hendricks?

[heftylefty]

Who was that chump that Tyron Woodley fought? He acted like he didn't want to be in the cage.

[TheBadger]

The guy was Steve "Caveman" Schneider. And how many folks would really want to be in the cage with T Wood? And where did the Tobasco nickname come from?

[Louden]

I'll tell you what, I am a huge wrestling fan of Askren and I really hope he does well in MMA. I would love to see him become another Koscheck and showcase dominant wrestling... but I am not so sure Ben is ready for that next level yet. I would like to see him stick around the level of opponant he just fought than step in the ring with any name guy for at least a year or more.

T-Wood on the other hand... haus. Not saying Ben isn't, but I don't think Ben is near the MMA level that T-Wood is at right now. If those two threw down, I think T-Wood gets a TKO standing or knocks Ben down and gets a TKO on the ground. He's just straight up tenacious. Power, wrestling base, athletic, the dude is straight fierce. I would love to see T-Wood fight at that next level against a name opponant. I think he is ready.

Just a fan's perspective. Their coaches all know 10000X more than me.

[wardy]

Louden
The group of guys I watched the fight with (some of whom knew nothing about Twood or Ben's wrestling careers) had the same analysis.

[T.D.C.Dad]

Couple things ... 1 Whos going to be able to stop that duck under or any other serious take down effort by Ben ?..... not many if anyone . 2 It didn't come up in this fight but his Brazilian jujitsu is already spectacular . 3 This some what showed in this fight that he's got steel chin but time will tell for sure. With these combination of thing I say Ben levels up very fast and racks up a lot of wins. Knowing how completive he Is you guy's think he going hang around at the bottom for very long . :lol: :lol: :lol: I would also bet his striking is much improved by next fight . He needs stiffer competition already just to see what level he's really at.

[T.D.C.Dad]

Another very important point I forgot , Askren never runs out of gas the longer a fight goes the more it goes in his favor he's basically a STRIKERS NIGHTMARE. aka Hendo

[Louden]

Note that I am not ripping on Ben. I have been anticipating his move to MMA for a long time and will probably be overly critical because I really do want him to succeed.

Couple things ... 1 Whos going to be able to stop that duck under or any other serious take down effort by Ben ?..... not many if anyone .

Wrestling in MMA is different than wrestling in wrestling. This is why GSP can outwrestle the likes of Koscheck. If Koscheck and GSp met in the NCAA's, does anyone actually think GSP would beat him? I don't. I think Josh would embarrass GSP.

Ben's wrestling style is going to be interesting to see in MMA. I wonder how it will transition over. From what I have seen in MMA is that Greco has been more effective in recent years. People like Randy Couture and Dan Henderson seem to be utilizing wrestling against Top 10 guys more effectively than the likes of Coleman, Randleman, Koscheck, and others. Their clinchwork, cagework, and dirty boxing really transition better from what I have seen to guys who work takedowns from outside shots. Trips, clinching against the cage, etc seem to be the more effective wrestling skills. We'll have to see where Ben ends up.

I don't see it very often, but to me it seems reaps, trips, throws along the cage, etc are the better route for securing takedowns. Shots seem to have a high failure % against a top level opponent.

2 It didn't come up in this fight but his Brazilian jujitsu is already spectacular.

It's been many years since I competed in BJJ so perhaps I am not the most qualified to judge, but unless Ben has progressed since his BJJ video on purefight was posted, his BJJ was at a beginner level. His base and mat sense are going to be spectacular due to his high level of wrestling, but as far as his subs, transitions, sweeps, defense, etc... he seemed white belt level to me. This analysis was backed by more advanced BJJ guys that saw the video as well. He's got a long ways to go here from what I have seen.

3 This some what showed in this fight that he's got steel chin but time will tell for sure.

Time will tell, and he got hit maybe once or twice only. What concerned me was his stance and posture. Again, don't listen to me as if my opinion is fact. I have never trained striking before so I am NOT an authority on this. But from my armchair quarterback analysis, he seemed very stiff, no head movement, and his chin was left sticking out. Now, Ben's chin jokes aside, he does need to keep that tucked and avoid being Lindland'd on his feet. IMO while Ben developes this skill further, I'd be giving him fights against guys who pose little threat on the feet with little BJJ skills. This would minimize the chance he gets drilled and loses his head this early in his career and also minimizes his chance of getting caught by a decent BJJ guy. His coaches are of course in a much better position than me to make this judgement. Again, I am just an armchair quarterback voicing his opinion. Take my opinion for whatever you will.

With these combination of thing I say Ben levels up very fast and racks up a lot of wins. Knowing how completive he Is you guy's think he going hang around at the bottom for very long . :lol: :lol: :lol: I would also bet his striking is much improved by next fight . He needs stiffer competition already just to see what level he's really at.

I think Ben's greatest assett is not his wrestling but his competetive nature and work ethic. He also seems to have an open mind to learn, and that is not something you can teach someone. He's been quoted talking about Coleman and the like not changing things up, and I think that is a very wise observation by Ben. So I am optimistic. This was merely his first fight. I want to see him do well and as such I am overly critical. I do not think he is even as far along as Koscheck was in his TUF days. I would like to see Ben have another 2 years of training and lower level fights before taking it to a higher level. But that's just me.

[Louden]

Adding to that, I think Woodley is ready for a more name opponant. Someone like Luigi Fioravanti or something at that level. I still would like to see him rack up a 5-0 prop record first, but unless he has trouble finding guys to accept a fight with him I think he can compile that kind of record this year. Look how easily he demolished that last guy. T-Wood can probably fight tonight if he wanted to (meaning his physical condition).

[swoletrain]

Has or will Woodley and Askren tryout for TUF?

[Louden]

Has or will Woodley and Askren tryout for TUF?

Tyron has, but unfortunately they didn't take him. Maybe they thought others were better "TV Personalities" or something. His skills are definitely there, I'd wager better than most who got accepted.

I read that Askren doesn't want to go TUF due to the contracts and all, but with his skills and personality, I think he'd make great TV. IMO this is probably the best way to present himself to the world or MMA Fans, as well as make him more valuable to the UFC.

[jonathan]

Has or will Woodley and Askren tryout for TUF?

Tyron was very close to making the last TUF show

[T.D.C.Dad]

Just watched Ben's fight again all 82 seconds of it . looked just like one of his wrestling matches in the fact that it doesn't even look like he's hardly trying yet he totally devastates his opponent. I could see where some one who has not watched him wrestled many times may not be overly impressed .Just like wrestling Askren makes it look way to easy like he not even trying . He'll go a long way's just with the tools he showed in that fight.

Askren not wanting to go the Tuf rout probable a smart move he's got enough name recognition all he has to do is win . Then he can negotiate his own contract who knows maybe Affliction will be viable option to the UFC in couple of years . A good fighter might have some choices. Not having to deal with Dana the Tool White would be a plus in my opinion.


It's been many years since I competed in BJJ so perhaps I am not the most qualified to judge, but unless Ben has progressed since his BJJ video on purefight was posted, his BJJ was at a beginner level. His base and mat sense are going to be spectacular due to his high level of wrestling, but as far as his subs, transitions, sweeps, defense, etc... he seemed white belt level to me. This analysis was backed by more advanced BJJ guys that saw the video as well. He's got a long ways to go here from what I have seen.

The very solid up to date information I got is Ben's jujitsu is already advanced and he is learning at very accelerated rate.

link supplied by the Godfather
http://mmajunkie.com/news/13837/collegi ... -feb-7.mma (http://mmajunkie.com/news/13837/collegiate-wrestling-stand-out-ben-askren-makes-pro-mma-debut-feb-7.mma)

The upcoming event is being promoted in conjunction with American Top Team of Missouri, where Askren, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt, serves as the lead instructor of the gym's wrestling program. He's competing at welterweight for his pro MMA debut.

White
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black (1st dan)

[Louden]

No offense TDC, but your post is off on a few things.

Just watched Ben's fight again all 82 seconds of it . looked just like one of his wrestling matches in the fact that it doesn't even look like he's hardly trying yet he totally devastates his opponent. I could see where some one who has not watched him wrestled many times may not be overly impressed .Just like wrestling Askren makes it look way to easy like he not even trying . He'll go a long way's just with the tools he showed in that fight.

I've watched more than a few Askren wrestling matches. I've been a fan for awhile now.

Askren not wanting to go the Tuf rout probable a smart move he's got enough name recognition all he has to do is win . Then he can negotiate his own contract who knows maybe Affliction will be viable option to the UFC in couple of years . A good fighter might have some choices. Not having to deal with Dana the Tool White would be a plus in my opinion.

Affliction will be a viable option to the UFC in a couple of years? That's a bold prediction for a company that is losing money hand over fist. There's doubt that they will be able to hold another event much less last several years.

As far as Ben having the name recognition to get in without TUF, well I am sure he does. His Olympic background accompanied by a few Pro wins should easily get him into the UFC. I wasn't talking about his ability to get there, I was voicing my opinion that it would be great to see Ben on TUF, to learn more about him as he grows on the show, and see him develop a larger fan base before he ever sets foot in the Octagon.

The very solid up to date information I got is Ben's jujitsu is already advanced and he is learning at very accelerated rate.

link supplied by the Godfather
http://mmajunkie.com/news/13837/collegi ... -feb-7.mma (http://mmajunkie.com/news/13837/collegiate-wrestling-stand-out-ben-askren-makes-pro-mma-debut-feb-7.mma)

I know, I have heard this purple belt thing for awhile, and like I said, if the video I saw was old, he very well may have legit Purple Belt BJJ. If it is recent, I would wager that he is getting by mostly on superior wrestling than actually having any accomplishments in BJJ tournaments or having the BJJ skills of a Purple Belt. And this is not a trash on Ben. It is just a honest analysis of the skills I saw on the video of him rolling jitz.

White
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black (1st dan)

Please defer to me on BJJ belt ranking and not on your online searches. In BJJ the belt rank almost universally follows:

White
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black

If you are under 16 the ranking system is usually:

White
Yellow
Orange

[DellyJonut]

Louden is correct about the bjj rankings

white, blue, purple, brown, black

if you are under 16 you cannot advance to blue

Louden forgot one belt though in the youth group

white, yellow, orange, GREEN. You cannot advance beyond green till you turn 16

About Askren. I have been training bjj since 1997, and I know all too well what happens to wrestlers in bjj. Top level wrestlers like Askren come into bjj and are able to hold their own against higher ranked guys due to their wrestling, and they usually get their blue belt fairly quickly, and then sometimes purple. Not many wrestlers advance beyond that, unless they are very dedicated, and it still would take years. Their initial advancing in bjj comes PURELY from how they do in sparring, not bjj knowledge. When they start as white belts they can whip the crap outta other white belts. The problem is that they have wrestling so instilled in their brains that they cannot stop using it. In order to learn bjj sometimes its better to not have wrestling. I know it sounds strange, but its true. This is more true for bjj competition than MMA though.

The best analogy I can think of is think of learning a language. When you learn a 2nd language you learn much faster not being around your original language. So if you wanted to learn Spanish it would be better to not be around English at all. Move to Spain or something. Trying to learn spanish from english speakers is less beneficial because you would keep falling back on english when you got stuck.

What most bjj schools do is advance the students based on how well they do against higher ranked students. Top level wrestlers can be hard to sweep or tap in bjj. Hell, they are just hard to score on period! When I roll with a wrestler in bjj this happens sometimes. I will be in my guard and I am having a tough time sweeping them or tapping them and it takes awhile to win. This is why wrestlers can advance quickly. However, they arent really using any bjj techniques, and they have a tough time scoring on advanced bjj guys, they are just good at surviving. They will eventually get caught. Wrestlers usually can't figure out the guard, and don't realize how hard it is to pass against a guy who has good repositioning.

Anyways, I am sure Askren can survive against decent bjj guys, but his technical knowledge of it and muscle memory of bjj moves are not up to par with PURE purple belts.

When it comes down to the nitty gritty, Wrestling will always be Askrens "first language". So when he is in a desperate position, whether it be in a bjj match, or mma, he will always fall back on his wrestling. And that is not such a bad thing. 8)

[T.D.C.Dad]

I hope Askrens working on his grappling \ Brazilian Jiu jitsu who know maybe one day he'll get good enough compete on the national American grappling team I hope all that wrestling skill doesn't become a real hindrance on the grappling scene .......... http://www.themat.com/section.php?section_id=3&page=showarticle&ArticleID=20933 LOL LOL LOL LOL