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Sports Desk • Mixed Martial Arts

Ben Askren

Ben Askren is an American former professional mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler, and professional boxer born on July 18, 1984.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Ben Askren is an American former mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler, and boxer who won welterweight titles in Bellator and ONE Championship. He is known for his dominant grappling style and a brief, memorable UFC run.

What it is

Ben Askren (born July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) is a retired professional fighter with a background in elite wrestling. He represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics and later transitioned to MMA, where he became Bellator and ONE welterweight champion. His overall MMA record stands at 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest.

Why it matters

Askren's career highlights the crossover from Olympic wrestling to MMA success. He was traded to the UFC in 2019 for Demetrious Johnson, a rare move between promotions. His five-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 remains one of the fastest in UFC history, cementing a controversial but memorable legacy.

Key details

Askren retired from MMA on November 18, 2019. In 2025, he was hospitalized with severe pneumonia from a staph infection and received a double lung transplant. His wife announced the health crisis, which disrupted a planned return to competition.

In short

  • Olympic wrestler turned MMA champion in Bellator and ONE.
  • Brief UFC stint included a record-fast knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal.
  • Retired in 2019; faced serious health issues in 2025 requiring a double lung transplant.

Quick questions

Who is Ben Askren?
Ben Askren is an American former mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler, and boxer best known for winning welterweight titles in Bellator and ONE Championship.
What is Ben Askren's record?
His professional MMA record is listed as 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest.
How did Ben Askren lose to Jorge Masvidal?
He lost by flying knee knockout in five seconds at UFC 239, which remains one of the fastest finishes in UFC history.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Askren
    Supports: Birth date, MMA career summary, retirement date, 2025 hospitalization, and double lung transplant report.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Askren
    Supports: Born July 18, 1984; UFC 239 loss to Jorge Masvidal by flying knee KO in five seconds; retirement after Demian Maia loss.
  3. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/news/qa-ben-askren
    Supports: Askren's UFC signing, prior titles, and 18-0 record with one no contest before UFC debut.
  4. Missouri Sports Hall of Fame — https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/ben-askren/
    Supports: Collegiate wrestling background, Olympic team participation, and MMA championship history.
  5. Sportskeeda — https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/ben-askren
    Supports: Professional MMA record of 19-2-1 and retirement in 2019.