Ben Askren is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler best known for his elite wrestling accomplishments and career in MMA promotions including UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship.
Ben Askren was born on July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Chuck and Michele Askren. He developed a passion for wrestling at a young age and began training seriously during his youth. Askren attended Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, where he won two state wrestling championships.
He continued his wrestling career at the University of Missouri, where he was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time All-American. Known for his unorthodox style and incredible grappling ability, Askren was awarded the Dan Hodge Trophy, often referred to as the Heisman of wrestling, in both 2006 and 2007.
In international competition, Askren showcased his talent by winning a gold medal at the 2005 Pan American Championships in senior freestyle wrestling. He also earned a silver medal at the 2010 Cerro Pelado International. Representing the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Askren competed in freestyle wrestling but was eliminated before reaching the medal rounds.
Askren made his professional MMA debut on February 7, 2009. Leveraging his dominant wrestling, he quickly rose through the ranks in the welterweight division. He became the Bellator Welterweight Champion after winning the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament and successfully defended the title multiple times.
In December 2013, Askren signed a six-fight contract with ONE Championship and went on to win the ONE Welterweight World Championship. During his time in ONE, he maintained an undefeated record and developed a reputation for his ability to neutralize opponents with his wrestling.
UFC officially announced the signing of Ben Askren on November 3, 2018, following a historic trade involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Askren debuted in the UFC's welterweight division in 2019 and won his first bout against Robbie Lawler via controversial submission. However, his next fight ended in dramatic fashion when he was knocked out in just five seconds by Jorge Masvidal, setting a record for the fastest knockout in UFC history.
Though Askren later suffered another loss to Demian Maia and eventually retired from MMA, his legacy as one of the top wrestlers in MMA remained notable.
Askren is known for his outspoken personality and active presence on social media. He frequently engaged in playful trash talk and online banter with fellow fighters, including Dillon Danis and Colby Covington. His humorous and self-assured comments, often punctuated with his catchphrase "Boom Roasted," endeared him to fans and added to his popularity beyond the cage.
In addition to competing, Askren participated in submission grappling events such as the 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, showcasing his continued interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he holds a black belt.
| Birth Date: | 18 Jul, 1984 |
| Age: | 36 yrs |
| Occupations: | Mixed martial artist |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Cedar Rapids |
| Education: | University of Missouri |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American sport wrestler and mixed martial artist |
| Net Worth 2021: | 500 thousand |
