Issue 122
December 2014
Ever since appearing on Inside MMA, with Kenny Rice cutting me off during my interview as I was being critical of the UFC, fans have really been on my side. I was very annoyed with Rice. His excuse was that the segment was running long but he didn’t have to ask me about fighting in the UFC.
BEN ASKREN
The always outspoken One FC 170lb champion takes aim at the UFC
He could’ve said ‘we’re out of time, see you later’. However, he asked and I was only allowed to say a few words before I was let go. I think everyone is in agreement with me when I say he handled the situation pretty poorly.
Bas Rutten, Kenny’s co-host on Inside MMA, commented on the situation but it felt like the company asked him to do it. Everyone likes Bas and he’s very well-known, but it felt like a forced response.
There was some talk from Rice that my legacy wouldn’t be complete unless I fought in the UFC, but I believe my legacy is defined by my wrestling career. Nobody besides myself in college wrestling has won two Hodge and two Schalles trophies.
I believe my legacy is pretty safe in that regard, because I’ve done some things in wrestling that no one has ever done. My legacy begins as a wrestler. As for my fighting legacy, I don’t think it’s fair to say what it’s going to be at this point because I still have a future in this sport. So far I’ve won two belts but who knows what the future holds?
I’ve always maintained I won’t be fighting until I’m 35 or 40. I said I’d retire by the time I’m 30 years old and I’m 30 now, but I still feel good and strong. I don’t know how long I’ve got left, but I definitely know I don’t have five years left. It could be one year, two years, three years. I don’t really know.
I’ve had some issues with Dana White recently too. When he couldn’t give an educated response to the things I said on Inside MMA he decided to attack me personally. He couldn’t say I was wrong or incorrect so he called me a moron. He did the same thing two years ago when I called the UFC out regarding the drug testing situation.
When the UFC bought Strikeforce in 2011, Bellator was really small at that time and One FC didn’t even exist, so although the UFC wasn’t quite a monopoly it was still close enough. Dana dictated what he wanted to happen and anyone who didn’t play his game was exiled.
Everyone played by his rules for a while but I’m a mainstream, relevant fighter who got outside of his grasp and can say whatever I want without fear of retribution. I can be honest about my feelings.
It’s hard to be truthful in the world because someone’s feelings are going to be hurt. However, that’s how I’ve been my whole life, telling the truth and being blunt about everything. That’s just how I came up doing things. Honesty is the best policy a lot of the time because if people know where you stand then they can’t get mad at you.
I believe fans are starting to appreciate me more now because of that. Firstly, people say I’m becoming a more exciting fighter, but I just think I’m becoming a better fighter, in terms of getting finishes. I also think people like the stance I’ve taken against Dana White because people appreciate I’m willing to stand up to him. They appreciate my honesty.
SINGAPORE SLING
My time with One FC and Evolve MMA has been great so far. Obviously I’ve been successful in my fights too so it’s been a great experience. It hasn’t been a huge culture shock because, although Asia is very foreign to me, Singapore has a Westernized culture which makes things easier.
I went to Indonesia for a press tour and nobody spoke English and nothing was written in English which made it really hard to get around, whereas in Singapore everyone speaks English and I can get nice, simple food.
Also, I was told I should expect a quiet crowd, but I haven’t found that to be the case because whenever I’ve fought the fans have been excited. In fact, they’ve been very similar to American crowds.
