Askren, lodi ng ONE FC
HINDI lamang ang pagiging ONE FC welterweight world champion ang ipinagmamalaki kay Ben “Funky” Askren, bagkus ang katauhan niya na kinikilala at respetado sa mundo ng mixed martial arts.
Premyadong wrestling champion sa NCAA Division I at kinatawan ng Amerika sa 2008 Beijing Olympics ang kredensyal na nagpatingkad sa career ni Askren.
Mula sa wrestling, ginamit niya ang talento para madomina ang isa pang mundo ng contact sports – ang mixed martial arts.
Sa walong taong pangingibabaw sa sports, tangan ni Askren ang markang 17-0, tampok ang isang No Contest, limang submission at limang knockout.
Sa edad na 33, sasabak ang American fighter sa kanyang huling ratsada sa cage sa Nobyembre 24 sa ONE: Immortal Pursuit kontra kay dating ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki sa Singapore Indoor Stadium sa Singapore.
Matapos ang matikas na kampanya laban sa malulupit na sina Agilan Thani at Zebaztian Kadestam ngayong taon, target ni Askren na tapusin ang career at ang huling pagdepensa sa korona sa impresibong pamamaraan.
“Shinya is a really good final opponent. Obviously, he is a legend of the sport, and he is a really big challenge on the ground, which is where I like to compete, personally. I am excited for this bout,” pahayag ni Askren.
“He is a grappler and has a great skill set that I respect, so I think it will be a great battle,” aniya.
Tulad nang hinahangad ni Askren, tunay na mapapalaban siya kay Aoki ang tinaguriang “Tobikan Judan” at “The Grandmaster of Flying Submissions” dahil sa kakaibang pamamaraan nito para gapiin ang karibal.
Tangan ng Japanese ang record na 47 pro fights, kabilang ang 25 via submission.
“I said from day one that I am the best in the world at what I do, and this is what I am going to do every single time. I have been saying that since I started in 2009, and I believe it more strongly than ever because I have proved it 17 times now, and I am pumped to prove it again,” aniya.
“He’s going to stick around until I put him out,” pahayag ni Askren.