Ben Askren opens up about Dana White beef, MMA journey and trade to UFC [FULL Interview] | ESPN MMA
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.พ. 2019
- UFC welterweight Ben Askren speaks with Brett Okamoto about his transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts, his beef with Dana White and the long journey to the UFC.
Accomplishments in wrestling (2:06)
2008 Olympic experience (3:05)
Wrestling legacy (8:09)
Transition to MMA (10:13)
Beating Lyman Good for the Bellator title (14:25)
Moving on from Bellator (15:38)
Attempt to jump to the UFC (18:20)
Beef with Dana White (21:05)
Signing with ONE Championship (22:48)
Characterizing the competition he fought in Asia (25:28)
On retirement after beating Shinya Aoki (26:28)
Trade to the UFC and opportunity to prove he’s the best in the world (28:35)
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There's no way anybody can say they don't have respect for this man, he is honest, straight to the point, only looks on the bright side of things and only cares about accomplishing his goals rather than entertaining the douchebags.
If Dana doesn't like you, you're probably a quality human being.
Hahaha right
#shade #connormcgregor
lol on point
Or Tito Ortiz
Uh Jones
ESPN is killing it with these videos
Hell yeah 2k views
Let's appreciate the fact they have a viewers guide for different questions and topics with time marks in the description.
They're whoreing the shit out of the fighters for media, but hey it ain't me so I'm digging it
Jonathan, what do you mean by "killing it"?
Have you never seen an MMA fighter interviewed before? There are DOZENS of channels doing the same thing.
Stupid comment
Jonathan Sage stfu
really digging this ESPN coverage before a UFC fight.
yeah 100000x better than fox
You do realize there are DOZENS of other youtube channels doing similar coverage, right?
I guess not.
@@brentshira3373 and what? he likes this ESPN coverage - and likely all the other channels too? Shut the fuck up hahaha
@@brentshira3373 You do realize he's talking about ESPN's coverage before a UFC fight. You know the new channel that broadcasts UFC fights in the US and is providing UFC fans a lot interesting and entertaining online content. He's really digging it. Do you understand yet? Probably not.
@@DazG2496 You actually type "hahaha" in your comments? What a douche you are
Askren only fights to pay for his frisby golf career
Destroyed Robbie's neck for his Frisbee baskets jk lol
i was trying to explain disc golf to a friend and couldnt come up with the right term for the goal. basket is a decent term but isnt it more of a trap?
☠️☠️
You can literally feel his pain when he talks about the olympics
ForrealForreal -
the wound is still fresh :/
Would have liked to have delve more into the situation with the Olympics! With what actually happened, mindset and storyline. That's what intrigues me to be honest!
Gay
The sad thing is; Ben coming up short had nothing to do with him being inferior to his opponents -- it happened because the rules punish anyone who utilizes that style; thus forcing him to compete without half of the tools in his arsenal.
Brett Perry what rules
dana is jealous of that head of hair... look into it
VooDooH there has to be a TH-cam video that proves it
he's plotting to shave it off and reconstruct it on his bald head im convinced man
Win or lose I like Askren he’s a cool funky dude.
I think he gets knocked out but i really like him
He's an awesome guy too . He'll if a fighter we will just see if the if is that much above the rest .
Honestly askren will probly take him down and hump robbie back to 2018... he does what he does and thats take no chances and mawl you to death
+1 he has a fine sense of humour and acts with real freedom, things that everyone should aspire to. His trolling presenting himself with those clothes in the presser was another level.
Articulate , intelligent , confident , capable , motivated , and successful ... a great example for all the fighters
UFC the best thing that happened to ESPN
u mean espn is the best thing to ever happen to the ufc...
Ufc is great for espn and espn is great for the ufc. You guys are both right, why is there so much volatile replies on youtube 😂
@@dylanappleton1165 stfu!! All 3 of you are wrong!! 😉
Vice versa too
I truly believe he is going to absolutely dismantle some monsters with completely nuts wrestling and ju Jitsu techniques that come from some Krazy unnatural positions, this guy makes Damien Mia even more boring than he is. He will make people fall in luv with something other than 2 blokes banging it out i promise. He is a freeeeeak.
I think Dana pushed against Askren because 1. He dislikes wrestling heavy fighters and 2. Askren will push back more than others and isn't afraid to talk about the finer details. Ben is as real as they come.
Why would Dana hate wrestling? most of the best UFC fighters came from wrestling background.
@@dragonwarriorht he hates grab and hold wrestlers. He's even called Woodley boring. He's ripped guys for it in TUF. This is common knowledge.
@@dave93x Well, Brock Lesner was a wrestler and mostly a grabber and Dana liked him a lot
@@dragonwarriorht I said wrestling heavy fighters. Ones who play for points and hold people down without much activity. Brock is a genetic freak who brought the WWE audience with him, so of course Dana liked him. He's the worst person you can use for your argument.
@@dave93x What about DC? he's a wrestler too and Dana likes him and he's heavy
ESPN is the greatest thing to ever happen to UFC
can't deny! they do great stuff
As much as a lot of people would not like to admit it, Connor McGregor is the greatest thing to ever happen to the UFC
THE GREAT WHITE you must be one of the people who don’t like to admit it 😂
Facts
Besides BJ pan Randy Couture Ken shamrock Chuck Liddell and several more who built the sport
This dude is really interesting when he’s being candid. Really articulate guy I like the way he talks. The goofball stuff is great too but I prefer this. I’m not surprised Dana kept this dude away from the UFC, Askren seems the type of dude to see things as they actually are and call it as he sees it. Can’t have that kinda personality around can we
Very true, he just told us the UFC owns World Series of Fighting aka PFL! Which make sense because they are both on ESPN now! lol
ufc is as clever of a company as they come
why is this guy such loveable guy
I was thinking the same thing. I believe its because hes not fake or putting on a show for the camera. Hes himself. I'm a fan
Because he walks on sandals
seemingly natural expression, i think we love that. Or the sandals heh
He’s like every buddy I have from Wisconsin. Goofy sense of humor, huge jock, underrated and smart
@Jcream101 hang on, is that your curly headed... profile pic? Lol, it's prolly cause you resemble Askren. I hate my likeness.
New favourite fighter and he hasn't even fought in the UFC yet
@Mike Custer no McGregor fans are bandwagon fans. I've been a fan of Ben's since his college days.
Mike Custer bandwagon fan means you are only a fan because other people are. Becoming a fan because you like him isn’t that.
No, that's called admiring someone for other things than fighting, and that is legit in my book.
Everyone's going Askren crazy, i love it 😂👌
That's the fight I'm most excited for this weekend
His 15 mins will be up when he gets destroyed Tommarrow
sonic hadoken lmaooo you have a better chance of learning how to spell than robbie has of not getting taken down again & again for 15 minutes
sonic hadoken *GSP shaky hands* I cant even take you serious with that fucking Sonic avatar of yours.
GSP vs Khabib vs Askren
Triple threat for the lightweight championship. Book it Vince! I mean Dana.
Have chanel as the ref lol
That fight would result in the most extreme split decision cecil peoples of all time
Khabib wins via not getting kidney failure
@@sabbuofggh1629 Please. Khabib gets curb stomped by either and it's not even close.
@@ggp1847 Khabib would beat both right now
I like Askrens personality, been watching him since bellatore and One FC, glad he's in the UFC
Dana gave him the toughest matchup he realistically could for his 1st fight in the UFC. Nice one Dana I hope Askren wins now 😂
Damien Maia would be the worst fight for Ben. Since Maia is superior on the feet, Ben the wrestler has to pick his poison; try to outstike the better striker or try to wrestle fuck the superior grappler.
Yeah its tuff. But we know askren is tuff.
Robbie is a champ as well. Gonna miss his style when its gone.
ScorpionXII na Ben is the superior grappler and Damian has a horrible time with wrestlers.
@VDR too bad for you now
He did.
Dana is afraid of Bens intelligence.
Ben could really make Dana look like an idiot!
#intimidated
him and tryon went to school together? that's pretty wild.
@Senior Sergeant Eubank thats colby, not askren
Colby also was like best friends with Jon Jones before Jones got into partying and cocaine.
They also went to school with Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler.
@@denniscreganii8419 they probably had a great coach
21:05 for dana beef(mobile users)
Good looking out!
You gotta love Askren...cool dude
love these video's, but can we turn the volume up? they are ALL so quiet.. thanks, espn!
I'm def rooting for Ben tomorrow! I love Robbie but I'm on the Ben hype train I guess. That doesn't mean I'm not worried for Ben though, I'm actually pretty nervous about this fight but at least I can say that regardless of who wins, I'm a fan of both fighters.
Jason Despaw I believe Ben will win but I'm still scared lawler is gonna take his head off
@@dallaswilliamson9935 I have the same fear, my friend. I can def see it happening but I think Ben will get him down.
Dallas Williamson I like Ben but I just have this bad feeling he will get caught with something quick.
Ben will ride on his back and chant "USA" while he's doing it.
ESPN is killing it with mma atm. Really good interview!
Shut the fuck up
Tim Evans damn bro who hurt you
Tim Evans Doesnt mommy and daddy love you or what is it?
Yall like humor deaf or?
Wow. Excellent interview
ESPN time stamped every question in the desc. THANK YOU!
Watching these type of videos before a fight makes the card way more interesting, now i definatly want to see this event.
Thanks for this interview, really enjoyed it. Good luck Askren ! ! !
We want the funk
If you want the funk ya gonna take it!
He gna funk lawler up
We gotta have the funk.
Remarkably grounded.
Good job Brett Okamoto with all the recent interviews. Keep it up they are awesome.
It won't be as funky of a walkout without that ONE announcer yelling *wE wAn Da FaUnK!*
It’s sad that none of the casuals will understand this amazing comment 😂😂😂
where can I watch one championship because I'm tryna see DJ whoop some ass.
Blueface Baby Get the app. They stream all of their fights live.
She's a legend
@@smk8251 thanks
I've become a huge fan of the Tyran and Ben Squad... I feel like Ben has helped tyran get shed in a better light
Dana White can’t really do whatever he wants, he may not have wanted Askren and held him out of the organization for the longest time he could, but the UFC obviously wanted him regardless whether Dana liked it or not.
U stupid.
if dana didnt want him in the ufc he wouldnt be in the ufc
Dana handed him his toughest matchup straight away lol
Dana is the UFC
guys who think Dana can do whatever he wants are clearly dumb dumbs
Loving these vids. Fox this is how to promote MMA. Can't wait for tomorrow!
Ben Askren the type of guy leave a pick in his hair.
𝔏𝔞𝔪𝔢
Because he's one funky sob
@@JoMaR_PR bruh! How tf did you get that font?
@Haitian Xu the funny thing is hunderds of thousands of people respect ben and not 1 single person respects you nor will anyone, ever
@Haitian Xu its not font its fancy text 😂😂😂 man you dumb as hell
Great interview I would have watched it all even if it was movie length
nice to hear his background story
I have never seen this guy fight, but just by watching his interviews and videos online, I already like him for his personality.
Mohiuddin Abro if you like fighters that are heavily based in wrestling then I'd encourage you to go back and watch several of his fights. If you're all about striking then you'll probably be disappointed by his style.
Never really watched or read what Ben has said before, but I can see a huge fanbase develop for him after watching this.
Thank you for the content espn !
thanks for making the interview longer unlike the other 4 minute clip 😁
Very cool how ESPN listed a table of contents in the description of this video.
Gosh dang it I love this guy.
Ben is a very likable guy
Good interview.
Ben Askren is a legend!
"probably not, I got issues." Officially a fan lol
Excellent interview. Ben is a really cool dude!
I’ve always loved anyone who pushes Dana’s buttons and bursts his ego bubble lol Dana has always been a mouthpiece for the organization. Since the Fortita brothers left its went downhill fairly quick. It’s turned into a circus but casual fans eat it up.
Askren is an awesome young man. Ben is too smart for Dana.
THANK YOU ESPN!!!!
Brett Okamoto has some good interview skills, good for him
Ben is a great guy I really like his personality its refreshing after everyone wanting to be like McGregor.
Agreed
Great interview Ben! Best of luck with Robbie tomorrow.
I love that ESPN interviews the fighters. Did fox do this? Maybe they did. I don't remember. Giving the fighters a platform is awesome.
Only on UFC on Fox show that I can remember
Great to see Ben in the UFC!! Well overdue its time to kick some ass brother
Brett is on the come up!
ESPN MMA: I have a problem with sound. Im using 5.1 speakers and I hear the audio only from center speaker and it´s very quiet... Only when I watching ESPN MMA channel... Any tips, anybody? :)
I love the coverage ESPN
He's likable. Good luck to him.
What a good dude!! Hope he smashes everyone on his rise. Good luck Ben!!
love this guys honesty
The UFC did Ben dirty
Andrew M Dana did Ben dirty!
I'm so happy that I don't have to dream about "what if Ben Askren fought this or that UFC level guy.." anymore, cause he is finally here and we can actually see that.
Thank you ESPN!
ESPN are killing it!!!!!
Ben is the Chael Sonnen of 170 with a little more funk.
Nah. Chael is full of shit and Ben is not.
@@jtm594 Chael isn't full of s*** the guys made 10 million dollars in the sport of MMA when nobody was getting paid.
What espn is doing and will do for the sport of mma is going to be crazy.
As much as I love Robbie Lawler and he is always a very dangerous threat..the world is getting ready to see why the hype is real regarding Askren. Ben has a rock chin and avoids getting hit really well. If he gets his hands on you..and he will, it’s pretty much curtains. I’m really looking forward to this card.
This comment aged really well! Good prediction.
This stuff that ESPN puts out is fantastic!
Great interview. The more I hear Askren talk, the more I like the guy!
About damn time we get to see these athletes on a large scale and see how they tick other than just being Savage's inside the cage.
ESPN killing it!
very likable guy👌🏽
smart, articulate, direct, not fronting with a persona...... ben is real. win or lose, I am a fan and will continue to support him.
freakin love Ben Askren, just such a shame that we only now get so se him fight in the UFC....he's past his prime he has said it himself....lets just hope he has another 1 or 2 good years
Ben’s story is pretty wild.
Great guy. Good luck to him.
love this guy. were like the same age. i wrestled in high school. i member watching him in college. love that he talks about pride i member those days.
Interviewee rubish! Ben deals with this well. I like this guy. Good luck Ben. Keeping it real
I never thought I’d see the day when i started to like Ben askren!
this guy is sooo entertaining. You can tell he's hella smart.
I really like this Guy
Tony Ferguson the type of guy to wear sunglasses in a meeting with Dana White and act like he's the real boss
These Tony jokes are getting old quick.
@@joeye7518 Tony Ferguson the type of guy to be talked about so much that you get sick of it
Whoever is in charge of the content ESPN mma is putting out needs a raise.
Good job espn
Just to spite Ben, Dana will schedule the first 165 belt on 1/1/20.
Espn killing da game!!!
what a good dude
I like to watch these video's on my tv. Why are these only 720p? At least get them out on 1080, but since you're ESPN, 4K 60Hz isn't too much to ask I think...
I’ve never had so much interest in a fighter that I haven’t even seen fight.
He has total maulings on guys who were very possibly on PEDs given their physiques. I was watching recently.
Man on a mission
He doesn't move his top lip though 😶
Good job ESPN.
A sports psychologist's mind in an elite wrestler's body. You can do it Ben, rooting for you!
I like this guy. An artist and champ.
How did a guy who hasn't even fought in the UFC yet become my favorite fighter? What sorcery is this, Ben?
A lot of favorite fighters didn't start in UFC, but in Pride.