Welterweight wonder Ben Askren needed less than four years to conquer ONE Championship and become the biggest star in the constantly-growing world of martial arts.
Now the American will spearhead the booming promotion's charge back into the Chinese market when he headlines ONE Championship: Shanghai on September 2, putting his welterweight title on the line against Zebaztian 'The Bandit' Kadestam.
Known as 'Funky', Askren made an impact in his first two assignments, submitting Bakhtiyar Abbasov with an arm-triangle choke in his May 2014 promotional debut before thwarting Nobutatsu Suzuki in the first round to claim the organization’s coveted welterweight crown three months later.
He's coming off a spectacular first-round submission triumph over Malaysia’s Agilan 'The Alligator' Thani this past May to keep his immaculate record intact
As he has morphed into a fully formed combat sports superstar, Askren has compiled his share of intriguing statistical data.
For nearly seven years, a prestigious gold-plated strap has been closely associated with Askren as he has never lost a world title contest since outpointing Lyman Good for the Bellator welterweight belt in October 2010.
He made history when he unified Bellator’s 170-pound’s top prize with the ONE Welterweight World Championship by pulling off a first-round demolition of Suzuki in August 2014.
"I've held two belts. I've never lost them, and I've held them for a combined six years, which is a very, very long championship reign by anyone's account," he said.
Askren made the transition to mixed martial arts and has flawlessly translated his impeccable grappling skills into his growing skillset.
The 33-year-old American has been perfect in competition, amassing an immaculate professional record of 16-0 with one no-contest after making the transition to MMA.
"16 is the number of times I've stepped in the cage, and I've never taken a loss. I think I am one of the best in the world, and I think it also says a lot about the consistency I bring. I bring a great performance every single time I step in the cage," Askren explained.
In his eight-year run as a professional martial artist, Askren owns five submission victories and four knockout triumphs.
He is highly regarded for his outstanding wrestling background that earned him two NCAA Division I national championship trophies and the privilege to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Now faced with the hard-nosed Swede Kadestam, Askren is determined not to take the challenge lightly.
"He is big, he is strong, and he hits hard with both hands and knees. He is tough, he is durable, and he is going to stay in the match. He is not going to do something stupid and give it up easy and early. He is going to stick around until I put him out," he stated.
That said, the brash American is as confident as ever.
"I always play to my strengths, and I have been very focused and determined on what I do. So far, it has worked out well."
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