Evie Summers
Ben Askren is a former mixed martial artist and wrestler who made his pro MMA debut in 2009. He was Bellator welterweight champion and had an 18-0-1 record, winning titles in both Bellator and the Asia-based ONE Championship. Askren's rivalry with UFC President Dana White is well-known, stemming from a 2012 dispute over random drug testing in the UFC. White infamously insulted Askren's fighting style, saying, When Ambien can't sleep, it takes Ben Askren, implying that Askren's fights are boring. Despite this, Askren joined the UFC in 2018 and made his debut in 2019. He retired from MMA in 2019 after announcing he needed hip replacement surgery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 16th April 2012 |
| Who | UFC President Dana White |
| What | "When Ambien can't sleep, it takes Ben Askren." The most boring fighter in MMA history. I would rather watch flies f**k. |
| Context | Ben Askren called Dana White a liar on Twitter for saying the UFC didn't have the resources for random drug tests. |
| Background | Ben Askren is a former MMA fighter. He was Bellator welterweight champion in 2010 and ONE Championship titleholder. He is known for his wrestling-heavy style and his rivalry with Dana White. |
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What You'll Learn
Ben Askren's dispute with Dana White
Ben Askren and Dana White have had a long-standing dispute, with White famously insulting Askren by saying, "When Ambien can't sleep, it takes Ben Askren," referring to the fighter as the "most boring fighter in MMA history." This dispute has played out publicly, with White's over-the-top soundbites and off-the-cuff responses being a trait that made him a star in the UFC. Askren, a former Olympian and undefeated MMA fighter, has not held back either, stating that he has a ""hard time with how Dana White treats people." He has also criticized White for throwing fighters under the bus and prioritizing his bottom line over athletes' well-being.
The dispute between the two escalated when Askren appeared on Inside MMA and stated that he could have a successful career even without signing with the UFC. This prompted White to rekindle their feud, calling Askren an "absolute moron" and accusing him of copying Tito Ortiz. Despite this, Askren expressed willingness to settle their differences and meet face-to-face, showing that he values his career opportunities over personal issues.
In a surprising turn of events, White revealed that he financially supported Askren's life-saving double lung surgery, contributing to the $2 million cost. This positive development in their relationship may have paved the way for a potential collaboration, as White previously acknowledged Askren's talent and considered giving him a shot in the UFC. However, Askren's retirement from mixed martial arts due to health issues might have altered these possibilities.
The dispute between Ben Askren and Dana White has been a source of entertainment for fans, with Askren's trash-talking skills and wrestling abilities being highly regarded. While their feud has been intense, both individuals possess a level of professionalism and a drive for success in their respective careers. Ultimately, their ability to work together and set aside differences would determine the direction of their relationship and its impact on the UFC.
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The Jorge Masvidal fight
Ben Askren's fight against Jorge Masvidal was a significant moment in his MMA career. Askren, a former Bellator welterweight champion, had an undefeated record before his UFC debut against Masvidal. Askren's fighting style was often criticised as one-dimensional and boring, with UFC President Dana White infamously stating, "When Ambien can't sleep, it takes Ben Askren."
The build-up to the Jorge Masvidal fight was intense, with Askren initially angling for a fight with Till. After Masvidal KO'd Till, Askren shifted his focus to Masvidal, and the trash talk between the two began. The night of their fight was highly anticipated, not just because of the circumstances and trash talk but also because of Masvidal's previous viral moment in England.
In the fight, Askren stuck to his usual style, which ultimately led to his defeat. Masvidal and his coaches knew that Askren would likely go for a takedown, leaving him vulnerable. True to their prediction, Askren dropped levels for a takedown, and Masvidal responded with a knee, knocking out Askren in just five seconds. This loss ended Askren's undefeated streak, but it did not change his self-belief or fighting style.
Reflecting on the fight, Askren acknowledged that it was not ideal, but he did not let it consume him. He took responsibility for his mistake, knowing that a win would have earned him a title shot. Despite the loss, Askren maintained his belief in himself and his style, demonstrating his unwavering confidence and determination.
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Ben Askren's retirement
Ben Askren, a former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer, and Olympic wrestler, announced his retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition on November 18, 2019, at the age of 35. Askren's retirement came just over a year after he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with considerable fanfare.
Askren's decision to retire was prompted by the discovery that he required hip replacement surgery. He made the announcement on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show on ESPN, stating, "I'm retiring from the sport of MMA, and frankly, I'm retiring from everything." Askren's retirement marked the end of a notable career in MMA and wrestling. He had held titles in the Bellator and ONE Championship promotions and was the longest-reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion and longest-reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion.
Askren's fighting style was often described as one-dimensional, with a focus on wrestling and grappling. Despite criticism, he remained true to his style throughout his career. His fight against Demian Maia, a renowned grappler, exemplified his approach. Askren chose to take the fight to the ground, resulting in his submission. While some viewed this as a strategic misstep, Askren wanted to prove a point and test himself against the best.
Askren's retirement from MMA concluded a career filled with twists and turns. He experienced both triumphs and setbacks, including a controversial victory over Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut and consecutive losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Despite the criticism and challenges, Askren maintained unwavering belief in himself and his style until the very end.
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Ben Askren's time in Bellator
Ben Askren is an American former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer, and Olympic wrestler. He formerly competed in the Welterweight divisions of Bellator Fighting Championships, where he was the longest-reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion.
Askren made his pro MMA debut in early 2009, and by the fall of 2010, he was 7-0 and Bellator Welterweight Champion. He was dominating everyone, although his fights were not particularly thrilling. Askren was a participant in Bellator Fighting Championships Season 2 Welterweight Tournament. In his first fight, he defeated Ryan Thomas via technical submission at Bellator 14 on April 15, 2010. The outcome of the fight was controversial because Thomas protested the stoppage. When the two had a rematch at Bellator 19, Askren won again with a unanimous decision. At Bellator 22, Askren defeated Dan Hornbuckle via unanimous decision, becoming the Bellator Season Two Welterweight Tournament Champion.
On October 21, 2010, in Philadelphia, Askren took on the Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good. Despite almost getting caught in a triangle choke, he was able to take down and control Good in every round, winning via unanimous decision and becoming the Bellator Welterweight Champion. Askren then returned at Bellator 40 to fight and defeat Nick Thompson. Following his unanimous decision win over Thompson, Askren revealed that he was moving to Milwaukee to train under Duke Roufus.
Askren successfully defended his title against Jay Hieron at Bellator 56, and then again against Douglas Lima at Bellator 64 on April 6, 2012. Askren once again used his top control wrestling to shut down his opponent's grappling. In the final fight of his contract, Askren faced Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 97. He dominated the fight with his wrestling and ground strikes, outstriking his opponent by a wide 248 to 3 margin before winning via TKO in the fourth round.
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Ben Askren's move to the UFC
Ben Askren, born on July 18, 1984, is an American former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer, and Olympic wrestler. Askren made his pro MMA debut in early 2009, and by the fall of 2010, he was 7-0 and the Bellator Welterweight Champion. Despite his success, UFC President Dana White famously insulted Askren's fighting style, saying, "When Ambien can't sleep, it takes Ben Askren," referring to Askren as "the most boring fighter in MMA history."
Askren finally made his UFC debut on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235, where he defeated former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler via bulldog choke in the first round. This victory was controversial due to a questionable stoppage by referee Herb Dean, as replays suggested Lawler may have been conscious. Askren's next fight was against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 on July 6, 2019. Leading up to the match, Askren engaged in heavy trash-talk, but he was ultimately knocked out by Masvidal with a flying knee just five seconds into the first round, ending his undefeated streak and setting a record for the fastest knockout in UFC history.
Askren's time in the UFC was short-lived, and he retired from mixed martial arts after finding out he needed hip replacement surgery. His final fight was against Demian Maia, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert, in which he suffered a rear-naked choke defeat. Despite his retirement, Askren's impact in the UFC was significant, and he received support from the UFC and the MMA community when he faced health challenges later on, including a double lung transplant in 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
Ben Askren is a retired mixed martial artist and former Olympian. He made his pro MMA debut in early 2009 and was Bellator welterweight champion in 2010.
The phrase was used by UFC President Dana White to insult Askren, implying that his fighting style is boring and could put someone on sleep medication to sleep.
Askren and White have a history of feuding through the press and on social media. Askren has described White as having a fragile ego and being insecure.
