The Triangle Choke: Ben Askren Interview

Scott Dryden talks to Ben Askren, the winner of Bellator's season 2 Welterweight Tournament

The Bellator Fighting Championships showed great growth in their sophomore season. The promotion was viewed live weekly on Fox Sports Net in unique locations all over the country. The tournament winners not only received a title shot but also a six figure purse. Now the tournaments have concluded and the match-ups are set in each weight division. Perhaps no fighter gained as much respect as the Welterweight Tournament Champion, Ben Askren. Not only is Askren a decorated wrestler but he is a colorful character as well. Askren spent some time with ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief Scott Dryden following his victory over Dan Hornbuckle:

SD- You were very impressive in a victory over the highly touted Dan Hornbuckle. Speak about what gave you confidence coming into that fight.

BA- I knew I could take him down and out grapple him. A lot of people didn’t think I could do that but when the fight got to the ground I knew I had a lot better submission defense than him. I knew he wouldn’t give me any trouble so I stuck with my game plan and it worked.

Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Champion Ben Askren.

SD- Were you worried about his length and him using his range if he tried to keep the fight in the stand up?

BA- No not at all. I knew his take down defense wasn’t very good so I knew it would go to the ground very quickly.

SD- Before we get into what’s in store for you in Bellator, I would like to discuss the success of the wrestler. You are a well decorated amateur wrestler and competed in the Olympics. Speak about the transition from wrestling to MMA and why wrestlers have had tremendous success.

BA- I believe wrestlers know how to control the fight whether it be in the stand-up or on the ground. The work ethic of wrestlers in general is tremendous. Wrestlers are hard working athletes. We learn and take everything to heart. Wrestlers are there to win.

SD- You won Collegiate National Championships at Missouri and performed in the Olympics. How did performing on the biggest stages help you in the MMA cage.

BA- I love competing in as front of as many people as possible. The bigger the stage the better I am. That is what I did in the NCAA Championships and in Bellator. It doesn’t really excite me or make me nervous. The more the better…

SD- Fox Sports Net did a nice feature on you and your wife prior to you winning the tournament. Your wife described you as a free spirit. Does your laid back personality help you in competition?

BA- I think my personality helps me once I step into the cage. My mentality is too stay aggressive and push the pace. I don’t want to sit back and wait. As far as my personality outside of the cage- I just try to be who I am. I tried to tell the truth and speak my mind.

SD- You are a newlywed. Speak about what your wife means to you and your career and the importance of staying balanced.

BA- It’s been great. She supports whatever I do. She didn’t care about MMA at all until I started it. For me it is very important to not think about MMA 24-7. I need breaks here and there. It keeps me refreshed.

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SD- Where are you training now?

BA- When I’m home I train at the Lions Den.

SD- You have transitioned very quickly to MMA at a high level. Is there a fighter/wrestler out there that you pattern your game after?

BA- Not really. I like to pick a lot of different things from different people. I try to watch everyone and pick the best part of their game.

SD- Speak about your experience in Bellator and the tournament format.

BA- Bellator has been great to me. It has allowed me to get three fights in three months. The more fights I get on my record the better. I think the tournament format is catching on with the fans.

SD- You are now the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Champion and have earned your shot against Welterweight Champion Lyman Good. You requested that Good keep the title in good shape for you and shine it every week. Speak about the match-up.

BA- (laughs) I think it is going to be a lot like the Hornbuckle fight. I don’t think he is as well-rounded as Dan Hornbuckle. I think I will take him down and finish him fast.

SD- What are your plans following the fight against Lyman Good?

BA- Whatever my manager thinks is best for me is what I’m going to do.

SD- Thanks Ben- best wishes.

By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief