After two straight losses, Ben Askren announces retirement from MMA

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Ben Askren has called it a career at the age of 35. 

The former Bellator and One welterweight champion, who is currently signed with UFC, announced his retirement from fighting on Monday. Askren cited health reasons as the cause for his decision. 

According to Askren, his hip has been bothering him for years and will need to have it replaced.

The legacy of "Funky"

Askren has been fighting for over a decade already. An amateur wrestler in high school and college, Askren qualified the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing but didn’t win a medal. He would then make his his professional MMA debut almost a year after.

The former Olympian started gaining recognition in MMA when he signed with Bellator MMA in 2010. There, he continued his undefeated streak and captured the Bellator welterweight title before moving to ONE Championship. He also captured the welterweight title for the Asian-based promotion en route to a 19-0 record prior to joining the UFC.

His brief time with the UFC wasn't an impressive one as he suffered his first loss to Jorge Masvidal via a vicious 
flying knee just five seconds into the first round. He failed to bounce back in his next fight as he was submitted by Demian Maia just late last month.

It would turn out to be Askren's last fight of his career.

Hip problems forces Askren to retire

Askren said his hip problem bothered him quite a bit. He also said that it had a huge impact on his fighting. Though bothered with the injury, he didn't want to use it as an excuse.

While his hip may be forcing him into sudden retirement, his career prior to coming over to the UFC is still an exceptional one.


Is Ben Askren out of MMA for good? What is your favorite "funky" moment? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us.

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