Ben Aksren ready to get punched in the face for Bellator
BREAKING: Bellator signs U.S. Olympian and NCAA Champion Ben Askren Bellator will be announcing fighters during the next few months….
- BREAKING: Bellator signs U.S. Olympian and NCAA Champion Ben Askren
- Bellator will be announcing fighters during the next few months. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest news.
Bellator Fighting Championships announced Wednesday the signing of highly touted MMA prospect Ben Askren to an exclusive long-term agreement
Askren is a U.S. Olympian who competed in the 2008 Beijing Games in freestyle wrestling. While wrestling at the collegiate level at the University of Missouri, Askren won two NCAA Division I titles. Since announcing his plans to cross over into professional mixed martial arts after the conclusion of the Beijing Games, Askren has been one of the most sought-after free agents in the sport.
Known for his unorthodox fighting style and world class credentials, Askren, 25, is slated to compete in Bellator’s welterweight (170 lbs.) division tournament. The promotion will kick off its second season on April 8, 2010 and will conduct eight-man tournaments in the featherweight (145 lbs.), lightweight (155 lbs.), welterweight (170 lbs.), and middleweight (185 lbs.) divisions to determine the No. 1 ranked challengers to face Bellator’s current champions.
In February 2009, Askren, who is known as Funky, made his professional MMA debut and has since compiled an undefeated record of 3-0. MMAJunkie.com has labeled him as one of the top prospects in all of mixed martial arts, while BloodyElbow.com called his abilities mesmerizing.
I am very happy to welcome Ben to Bellator, said Bjorn Rebney, founder and CEO of Bellator Fighting Championships. Ben’s an exciting fighter with unlimited potential and an unparalleled list of Olympic and collegiate accomplishments. We believe he can become a true force in this sport. As an MMA fan, I can’t wait for Ben’s first fight in our tournament on FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo this April.
As the nation’s top MMA prospect, Askren joins a Bellator roster that includes elite fighters such as Eddie Alvarez (155 lbs. champion), Hector Lombard (185 lbs. champion), Lyman Good (170 lbs. champion), Joe Soto (145 lbs. champion) and many others.
