Topic: Ben Askren

How far can Askren go?

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old dirt dog

Member Since: 2010.10.13
Predictions: 447 | 66.7%
Forum Posts: 236
Post Score: 33

04.10.2011 | 9:45 PM ET

Nick Thompson is not the best welterweight out there, but he's a real fighter, very experienced. Askren went through him like he wasn't even there. Now he will be training with Duke Roufus and all the destroyers up in that gym. Undoubtedly his striking will get better and his submissions will get better. And has anyone at welterweight ever had wrestling and grappling position ability like him before? I don't think so.

The question then is how far can Askren go in this sport? Can he go all the way to UFC gold? Forget any specific matchup or worrying about how he would do against GSP. 3, 4 years from now, who knows what GSP is doing or what weight class he's at, or what any other fighter is doing. Instead just look at Askren and decide if you think he has championship potential (future potential).

My answer: I think he is, I think he's that good.

Fighter Details

Name: Ben Askren
Pro MMA Record: 19-2-0, 1 NC (Win-Loss-Draw)
Nickname: Funky
Current Streak: 2 Losses
Age: 1984-07-18 | Date of Birth: 1984.07.18
Last Fight: October 26, 2019 in UFC
Weight Class: Welterweight | Last Weigh-In: 171.0 lbs
Affiliation: Roufusport MMA Academy
Height: 5'11" (181cm) | Reach: 71.0" (180cm)
Career Disclosed Earnings: $1,160,000 USD
Born: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Fighting out of: Hartland, Wisconsin, United States
College: University of Missouri
Foundation Style: Wrestling
Head Coach: Duke Roufus
Other Coaches: N/A
Fighter Links:
Personal Links:

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OldManGloom

Location: The Mitten
Member Since: 2011.03.19
Predictions: 109,651 | 62.5%
Forum Posts: 9,505
Post Score: 254

04.10.2011 | 9:57 PM ET

I completely agree, especially now that he's going to be training full time for the first time. If he becomes half the striker that Pat Berry or Anthony Pettis is, with that wrestling...sick.

"When the system fails you you create your own system."

geezhound

Location: N.E.P.A.
Member Since: 2011.03.13
Predictions: 6,745 | 61.3%
Forum Posts: 3,297
Post Score: 193

04.10.2011 | 10:03 PM ET

As soon as he gets an opponent with any sort of TDD at all, he will be stopped. TDs are all he has.

"Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity."

Master Blaster

Location: Tomorrow-morrow Land
Member Since: 2010.11.01
Predictions: 356 | 56.7%
Forum Posts: 241
Post Score: 30

04.10.2011 | 10:11 PM ET

geezhound agree we need to see him fight a good wrestleboxer. askren is more than just takedowns tho. on the ground he is a drunken master.

"Break a deal, spin the wheel"

OldManGloom

Location: The Mitten
Member Since: 2011.03.19
Predictions: 109,651 | 62.5%
Forum Posts: 9,505
Post Score: 254

04.10.2011 | 10:24 PM ET

I agree that he hasn't fought anyone with stellar TDD, but depending on how fast his striking progresses at Rufusport it may not matter that much. Besides, it's only going to be fighters like GSP, Fitch, & Penn that are even going to give him a challenge in preventing the take down. After all, he is an Olympic wrestler who's been a part-time MMA fighter. Now he's going to be nothing but a fighter.

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-Champ-Askren-Milwaukee-Bound-Set-to-Join-Roufusport-Camp-31477

"When the system fails you you create your own system."

TownStar

Location: Oakland
Member Since: 2010.11.11
Predictions: 944 | 63.1%
Forum Posts: 329
Post Score: 62

04.10.2011 | 11:15 PM ET

his takedowns and top game could be the best in the game, but he has to improve his weaknesses or they will be exploited by better competition. The change in camp should do nothing but improve and round his game, we just have to see how far he can evolve.

"fresh outta Oakland..."

Bigj383

Location: San Diego
Member Since: 2010.10.12
Predictions: 8,546 | 63.8%
Forum Posts: 5,417
Post Score: 187

04.10.2011 | 11:39 PM ET

With the competition he's facing now he will go far. Nobody in the WW tournament poses much of a threat to him. A fighter who will pose serious threat is a top level BJJ black belt with good striking.

"It does not make sense that humans deliberately malfunction. - Upgrade"

bklettke

Location: USA
Member Since: 2010.11.02
Predictions: 2,109 | 64.7%
Forum Posts: 1,761
Post Score: 117

04.11.2011 | 12:46 PM ET

This is the first fight i've watched Askren and i was very impressed. Nick Thompson is nothign all that great, but he strikes wonderfully to set up his TDs and once on the ground it's nearly impossible to get back up. I loved his constant transitioning for a dominant position. I'll definately watch him fight again. I hope to see him against Pitbull.....

DV8ed Septum

Location: Tucson,Az
Member Since: 2011.04.01
Predictions: 1,328 | 57.8%
Forum Posts: 559
Post Score: 142

04.11.2011 | 3:26 PM ET

He's legit. I don't know about how his striking will hold up @ the next level though.Can't be 1-dimensional. He looked good against his only legit opponent (imo)=Hornbuckle.

"Grrr."

Dannotheman

Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Member Since: 2011.03.15
Predictions: 9,433 | 65.6%
Forum Posts: 2,406
Post Score: 185

04.11.2011 | 4:56 PM ET

Hopefully Pettis and Koch teach him how to punch and kick.

I think he could reach the top in a few years.

"God please give me patience, if you give me strength I will just punch them in the face."

Dominic Decoco

Location: United States of Ham
Member Since: 2010.10.22
Predictions: 287 | 56.1%
Forum Posts: 115
Post Score: 17

04.11.2011 | 8:32 PM ET

Usually I don't like wrestlers who don't do anything but grapple and not do much damage, but Askren is pretty cool. Funky is a good nickname.

LynxGuy

Location: Ontario, Canada
Member Since: 2010.12.31
Predictions: 1,054 | 59.7%
Forum Posts: 1,120
Post Score: 138

04.12.2011 | 12:51 PM ET

Too early to tell if this kid is capable of winning UFC gold, but his grappling is sooo good. It's so good that it's even entertaining. As long as he works on his finishing ability like striking and BJJ he can definitely be a contender in the UFC someday.

"Don't be scared, homie." - Nick Diaz

zerohours

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Member Since: 2011.01.30
Predictions: 499 | 60.3%
Forum Posts: 180
Post Score: 41

04.12.2011 | 1:17 PM ET

First time I saw Arksen fight was the Hornbuckle fight, ive been very impressed with his grappling since seeing it. He's defenetly one of those fighters I can't wait to see move up to UFC and test some deeper waters. I think he will find success in the ufc's WW division, so far he looks mega talented, give him a couple more years to work on his striking and ya got yourself a pretty devestating contender.

"Even though my spanish is rusty, yo my English is Olde, 40 down, grab yourself an ice cold Colt 45 feelin alive drunk as **** in the daylight ready to die"

SoccerKick

Location: Colorado
Member Since: 2011.02.09
Predictions: 32,055 | 61.8%
Forum Posts: 13,504
Post Score: 186

04.12.2011 | 8:20 PM ET

I think Askren's best is a Josh Koscheck type....amazing wrestler turned into an all around fighter that can challenge the best at 170

"I'm too old to be run by the fears of dumb people "

OldManGloom

Location: The Mitten
Member Since: 2011.03.19
Predictions: 109,651 | 62.5%
Forum Posts: 9,505
Post Score: 254

04.12.2011 | 10:46 PM ET

I think that eventually we may look at Kos as a homeless mans version of Askren. I'm not sure that there is anyone at WW with the wrestling pedigree Askren brings to the cage. When he learns how to strike (which he will under Roufus) look out. Preping for his ground game must be like trying to prep for Cruz or Machida on the feet.

"When the system fails you you create your own system."

Dannotheman

Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Member Since: 2011.03.15
Predictions: 9,433 | 65.6%
Forum Posts: 2,406
Post Score: 185

04.12.2011 | 11:03 PM ET

I don't see Askren turning out like Koscheck at all. Even their wrestling styles are different. Koscheck relies on powerful double legs. Askren just grinds on you and excels in scrambles.

I also don't see Askren developing a Kos' right hand. He doesn't seem like the type with that 1 hit KO power. He just doesn't look strong.

I think he'll be more of a finesse, technical striker with great takedowns. Like a Edgar or even GSP.

"God please give me patience, if you give me strength I will just punch them in the face."

SoccerKick

Location: Colorado
Member Since: 2011.02.09
Predictions: 32,055 | 61.8%
Forum Posts: 13,504
Post Score: 186

04.12.2011 | 11:21 PM ET

@oldmangloom I agree with you about Askren being better then Kos....Also agree with @Danno that Askren won't have the power in his hands either

"I'm too old to be run by the fears of dumb people "

OldManGloom

Location: The Mitten
Member Since: 2011.03.19
Predictions: 109,651 | 62.5%
Forum Posts: 9,505
Post Score: 254

04.12.2011 | 11:29 PM ET

Yeah, I don't think he'll ever have the power that other wrestlers have shown (Kos, Hendo, Munoz) but I think his wrestling style shows a great deal of creativity and improvisation and I think that Duke is a great match to develop his striking.

"When the system fails you you create your own system."

Gregory

Location: Boston
Member Since: 2010.05.24
Predictions: 6,817 | 63.3%
Forum Posts: 18,563
Post Score: 275

04.12.2011 | 11:29 PM ET

Agree with both Danno and SoccerKick. Askren doesn't look like a natural striker. Heck, he doesn't look like a natural athlete. His style of wrestling seems to be so hard to deal with though, that even if he never gets comfortable standing, it might not hold him back.

"I live, I die, I live again."

Mizder

Member Since: 2011.02.12
Predictions: 620 | 66.1%
Forum Posts: 20
Post Score: 45

04.13.2011 | 1:56 AM ET

his grappling is superlative unlike alot of the lay n pray guys in mma he actually is very very active on the ground which i do enjoy it does get old tho seeing the same smothering on the ground to a decision hopefully his submissions and striking will evolve while hes at roufussport i think a striker with excellent tdd would cause him alot of problems and expose him on the feet that is if there is anyone that can stop his td

minotauro11

Location: St. Louis
Member Since: 2011.01.06
Predictions: 2,483 | 66.5%
Forum Posts: 4,493
Post Score: 148

04.13.2011 | 7:45 PM ET

Training with Duke Roufus opens all kinds of doors for him, his biggest hole is obviously his striking, and Duke may be the best striking coach out there. His BJJ and wrestling are great, and he mixes them together so fluently. As far as wrestling goes, it may be the best p4p in the world, he is an olympic caliber wrestler, it may not work as well in MMA, but his takedowns haven't been tested at all in Bellator yet, but I am assuming it's as good as an olympic background implies. I think if he refines his striking, he has the skills to be a top 5 guy in the welterweight division, his wrestling is damn good.

"We Are All One"

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Topic: Ben Askren

How far can Askren go?

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