Disappointed Ben Askren Hints at Retirement After Loss to Demian Maia

Things have changed really quick for Ben Askren, from coming into the UFC with an undefeated MMA record and multiple organization championship to losing two fights in a row and even considering taking retirement from the sport.

It did not take Ben Askren much time to be the talk of the town when UFC signed him. His first fight against Robbie Lawler ended in his favor although in a controversial manner. However, he got knocked out in 5 seconds against Jorge Masvidal and then he got submitted by Demian Maia in a fight that he was arguably winning. Now Askren’s future is uncertain as he is yet to decide whether he continues to fight or retire from the sport.

In a recent interview on ESPN, when asked about retirement, Ben Askren replied:

“Retirement is definitely somethings I am considering. I would be lying to you if I say I was not. I have a lot of things to do my life, I am a really busy guy, and I have a lot of things I have passion about and I love. That being said, two more things if I may, all I wanted is an opportunity, it’s all I ever wanted and I got my opportunity. So it would be hard to be bitter and disgruntled in any way because I had the opportunity I want to, I have not been able to execute on the opportunity, and that’s on me. So that’s kind of one thought process. The other thought is part of me wants to fight more. I thought I was doing really well in the Demian Maia fight.”

Ben Askren has won multiple championships in two different organizations, an achievement that makes a strong argument that Askren can compete at the highest level. However, considering his performances in UFC since his debut last year, it would be hard to deny the questions surrounding whether Askren is good enough to compete in UFC.

Well, Askren believes he can compete with the best fighters in the world. Askren said:

“There is part of me that says, yeah, of course, I want to fight some more, I think I can still compete with the best guys in the world. I have beaten some of the best guys in the world. And then part of me say, man, I have got a lot of things to do in my life. So I kind of have feelings both ways.”

“Even if I want to give you an honest answer, I would say my feelings are very mixed,” said Ben Askren.