Recently in Ben Askren Category

from mmajunkie.com:
Former Olympian and two-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion Ben Askren's first professional MMA fight was a quick one.

Askren (1-0), a former University of Missouri wrestler, scored a first-round TKO of Josh Flowers (0-3) at the Holiday Inn Expo Center in Columbia, Mo., at the debut Headhunters Fight League event.

Askren, the head wrestling instructor at American Top Team of Missouri, scored an early takedown and forced an 84-second stoppage after a subsequent ground-and-pound assault.

Ben Askren, a collegiate wrestling star at the University of Missouri and a 2008 Olympic competitor, will be making his debut in MMA next month, probably as a welterweight. Here's what his wikipedia entry says: "He is known for his incredible pinning ability (he holds the single-season NCAA pin record); his massive afro, and his "funky", or unorthodox, wrestling style." And here's the latest entry from Askren's Web site:

So if you haven't heard by now and you likely have I am debuting in the cage on February 7. I don't know who my opponent is yet, I just had one back out. I think we have another one locked in but nothing is for sure yet. The fights are on Feb 7 at the Holiday Inn Expo center in Columbia, MO.

I have been training very hard for my debut, my jiu jitsu is going to new levels and I keep getting better everyday. Great news is we now have a striking coach at ATTMO his name is Lucas Lopes and he is great so far. His English isn't the best but I am learning some Portugese and we communicate what we need to, plus Kiko helps with the language barrier.

Also fighting on the card are my BJJ coach Kiko France, Training Partner Zach Lenon, Former teammate at Mizzou Tyron Woodley and UFC Vet Din Thomas. If you want more info about that you can check www.headhunterevents.com

from five ounces of pain:
Ben Askren, who represented the United States in freestyle wrestling at the Beijing Olympics this past summer, is scheduled to make his mixed martial arts debut on February 7 in Columbia, Missouri.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com confirmed the news with Dan Lambert, the president of American Top Team, where Askren is currently preparing for his pro debut.

Askren, who will compete at welterweight, is one of the most decorated amateur wrestlers in U.S. history. He was the 2006 and 2007 winner of the Danny Hodge Trophy, an annual award given to the top collegiate wrestler.

The 24-year old was also a two-time NCAA champion while competing for the University of Missouri, where he posted an amazing record of 153-8 during his four-year amateur career. He is also fourth on the all-time NCAA list for pins with 91, trailing only Gene Mills (107), Wade Schalles (106), and Larry Bielenberg (94).

Askren is also scheduled to fight on February 26 in Miami. Already viewed as one of the top unsigned prospects in the sport, it's likely Askren is already attracting interest from major national promotions. However, his asking price will no doubt increase if he's able to begin his career 2-0.