Askren eyes ONE matchmaking role, after one last fight
Ben Askren: “I used to love going in the gym every single day. … And now, I frickin’ hate it.”
Welterweight champion Ben Askren, 33, has a perfect 18-0 record, and one last fight vs. Shinya Aoki at ONE: Immortal Pursuit on November 24 in Singapore. After retirement ‘Funky’ plans to continue coaching wrestlers at the Askren Wrestling Academy in Wisconsin, and work for ONE, initially as a matchmaker, and later in marketing and management.
You have to be accepting of everything you’ve accomplished up to that point and accept that there’s a time to retire and move on to other pursuits in my life, said Askren to Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie during a conference call. I’m excited and eager to jump at any task they throw my way. But first and foremost, I’ve got to finish my career right.
I used to love going in the gym every single day. I used to be passionate about it. I couldn’t wait. There was nothing I was more excited for. And now, I frickin’ hate it. I’m disciplined enough to still do it. I’m disciplined to get up two times a day and go to the gym every day and not miss a workout. But I don’t like it any more. So I know it’s my time.
I’m taking time out of those things, which I thoroughly enjoy, to be selfish about my own training and making sure I’m the best I can be.”
Whatever I’ve taken to, I’ve had success at. And I think it’s because I’m so disciplined and determined in what I do.
