ONE FC’s welterweight champion Ben Askren has retired from the sport today after ending his career on a high with a swift TKO victory over Shinya Aoki.
Askren had stated well in advance of the fight that it was to be his last and it couldn’t have gone any better for him as he slammed Aoki to the mat and then waded in with heavy ground and pound blows until the TKO stoppage just 57 seconds into th efight.
Askren has long been regarded as one of the best fighters to never have competed in the UFC and so its a shame that at 33-years-old he’s now bowing out of the sport with a 18-0 (1nc) record – though post-fight he did appear to leave the door open if the right fight came his way.
“I did leave that caveat, if I get the opportunity to prove I’m No.1 – I think I’m No. 1,” Askren said. “I know I’m No. 1. I haven’t gotten to prove to the world I’m No. 1. So if I get that opportunity, (I’d) take that opportunity.
“I don’t need to make any more money. I need to show people that I’m the best welterweight in the world. Other than that, I’m out.”
As well as having defended his ONE FC 170lb title four times, Askren also previously made four successful defenses of his Bellator welterweight title during a career that spanned nine years.
