Ben Askren is an epic combat sports athlete. He was two-time state wrestling champ in high school. He won Div I nationals twice. He represented the USA in the Olympic games. And he was undefeated in MMA, until he signed with the UFC. Now he’s 35, and on a two-fight losing streak.
"Retirement is definitely something I'm considering."@Benaskren contemplates his fighting future (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/FYayPm1WCs
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 28, 2019
Retirement is definitely something I am considering, said Askren during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani MMA Show, as transcribed by Mike Bohn for MMA Junkie. I would be lying to you if I said I was not. It’s just a time-cost analysis. I have a lot of things to do in my life. I’m a really busy guy. I have a lot of things I’m passionate about, and I love. Not training specifically, but to and from setting stuff up, I’m probably spending about 30 hours a week on MMA related stuff. ‘Can I place my time better somewhere else’ is definitely a thought process that’s crossed my mind.
That being said, two more things: All I ever wanted was an opportunity. That’s all I ever wanted. I got my opportunity, so it would be hard to be bitter or disgruntled in any way because I had the opportunity I wanted. I wasn’t able to execute on that opportunity, and that’s on me. That is kind of one thought process. Then the other thought process is part of me wants to fight more. I thought I was doing really well in the Demian Maia fight.
