For three years Ben “Funky” Askren has reined supreme at the top of Bellator’s welterweight division. Today, the reign comes to a close, at least in Bellator that is. The promotion released the undefeated champion today.
Bellator MMA waived the matching rights to Ben Askren today. Askren has fought almost every fight for Bellator throughout his professional career.
“I’ve said it many times, Ben’s a completely one-dimensional fighter who is utterly dominant in that dimension,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “I had a number of discussions with Ben and it became clear it was time for both parties to move in different directions. We’ve relinquished any right to match here and Ben can sign with whoever he chooses to sign with. Ben’s been at Bellator since the start of his career, I respect him and what he’s accomplished and wish him the best wherever he goes.”
“Funky” is undefeated in all of his 12 professional bouts. In his last bout, Askren is coming off a dominant performance over Andrey Koreshkov, eventually finishing the Russian fighter by TKO in the fourth round. Askren retained his title and filled out his final fight on his contract.
In October, Askron competed at Agon II where he was the headliner of the wrestling event. Askren went on to beat Quentin Wright 22-8 at 195 lbs.
