Dan Faggella is a No Gi Pan Am Champion at 130 pounds, and recognized Expert in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Dan writes or Jiu Jitsu Magazine, Jiu Jitsu Style, MMA Sports Mag, and more – check out his book featuring Ben Askren called “The Unexpected Champion: Training Strategies To Turn The Underdog Fighter Into An Unstoppable Fighter” at http://www.amazon.com/The-Unexpected-Champion-Strategies-Unstoppable/dp/0983802394
Exerting your dominance at a consistent and brooding way is a tough task to ask a mixed martial arts fighter. The every-day demand of being the best takes a vital toll on a fighter in various ways. There are few men that can say they boast an undefeated record, have gold, and compete against elite competitors.
However, there is one man that meets that criteria. No it isn’t Jon Jones, Georges St. Pierre or even Anderson Silva…it’s a man whose name is well known in the MMA world but may not turn heads right away. He may look like an everyday guy, but his skills and work ethic sure isn’t “everyday” or average. In fact, little is “average” when it comes to Ben Askren.
The King of Ground & Pound
An elite wrestler in college, Askren collected various accolades during his days at University of Missouri. Upon leaving college, he drove a mere 30 minutes from his home in Hartland, Wisconsin to visit Roufusport, one of the best gyms in the entire MMA universe.
Home to guys such as Anthony Pettis, Erik Koch, Sergio Pettis and world-renowned coach, Duke Roufus, it was an easy choice for Askren to join such an impressive stable of young, talented fighters.
The first four fights of Ben’s venture into MMA all shared one similar trait: he ended them…and fast. Not one of his first four fights left the first frame; one ending via TKO, two by way of submission and one by way of technical submission (aka the other guy took a nap.)
Bellator’s Finest & Fighting Like A Wrestler
Starting with his second fight in Bealltor, Askren began facing tough, tough opponosition. Dan Hornbuckle, Lyman Good, Nick Thompson; Ben was given some very difficult guys. In the process, it seemed that Ben had found his niche as a fighter. Unlike his first four fights that ended in the first round, Ben began taking his opponents into deep waters and testing their cardio.
Becoming known for his “ground & pound” style, Ben would put fighters right on their back and make them deal with his dominant top-game from there. While this style of fighting doesn’t always resonate well with the fans, it has been proven to be an effective fighting style. Go ahead and boo, Ben still has the gold around his waist, I’m sure he doesn’t mind.
Feeling Golden
His opponents didn’t get easier after his entry into the promotion, but what do you expect when you’re a champion? Askren went on to beat guys like Jay Heiron, Douglas Lima and Karl Amossou. These three wins would elevate Askren to elite level: 11-0 and a champion.
Since he found his groove as a fighter, more and more people are starting to proclaim Askren as one of the best fighters in the welterweight division, anywhere in the world. That’s a high praise given the fact guys such as Georges St. Pierre, Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit & Rory MacDonald all call the division home.
For the fans, like it or not, the King of MMA-based-wrestling is here. He has made his home, and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. So go ahead and boo him if you’d like, chances are his hand will be raised in victory either way.
To check out more highlights, check out Ben Askren’s Bucknell Exhibition matches right here: