Name: Ben “Funky” Askren
Fight Organization: Bellator
Weight: 170
Height: 5’10
Record: 8-0-0
Trademark: Massive blond afro, “funky” unorthodox fighting style
Strengths: Wrestling, relentless attack, phenomenal cardio
Date of Birth: July 18, 1984
Born: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hometown: Hartland, Wisconsin
College: University of Missouri (Mizzou)
Degree: Geography
Trains Out Of: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Team Roufusport)
Trainer / Coach: Duke Roufus, Scott Cushman
Titles: Bellator Welterweight World Champion (current), Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Champion, 2x NCAA Divison 1 Wrestling Champion 174 lbs. (2006,2007), 4x NCAA Championship Finalist, 4x NCAA Divison 1 All-American, 2007 ESPY nominee for Best Male College Athlete, Brown Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Other Titles: *see bottom
Trained In: Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai
Fighting Style: Wrestling, Grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
MMA Synopsis: Ben made is pro-MMA debut on February 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri during Headhunter Productions: Patriot Act 1 Fight. He defeated Josh Flowers early in the 1st round via TKO. In his second fight at Patriot Act 2 also in Columbia Missouri, Ben took home his 2nd win defeating Mitchell Harris via submission by arm triangle at the catch weight of 175 lbs. Ben continued his first-round win streak beating Matt Delanoit via submission (north-south choke) at Max Fights DM: Ballroom Brawl on August 28, 2009. Bellator Fight Championship took notice of Ben and signed him to participate in the Bellator Fighting Championships Season 2 Welterweight Tournament. On April 15, 2010, he defeated Ryan Thomas at Bellator 14 via technical submission, which Thomas protested was an early stoppage. Ben got his chance show Thomas once again who the better fighter was at Bellator 19. Ben used his wrestling prowess to control Thomas for 3 rounds resulting in a win via unanimous 30-27 decision. The welterweight championship final, Bellator 22, took place on June 17, 2010. Ben once again used his superior wrestling skills and dominated opponent Dan Hornbuckle, winning via unanimous decision. On October 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Ben fought current Bellator Welterweight Champion, Lyman Good at Bellator 33. He won via unanimous decision and was named Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Champion. His next fight would be a non-title fight at Bellator 40 on April 9, 2011 in Oklahoma against Nick Thompson. After 3 rounds, the judges ruled Ben won via unanimous decision 30-26, 30-27, 30-27. Following his commanding performance over Thompson, Ben announced he would be relocating his training to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to train under the guidance of Duke Roufus at Roufusport. Ben’s first title defense will take place on October 26, 2011 at Bellator 56 against season 4 tournament winner, Jay Hieron.
Personal Life: Ben married wife, Amy, on April 9, 2010 in Kansas City, MO. His parents, Chuck and Michele Askren, have always been and continue to be important fixtures in Ben’s life and wrestling career. His dad introduced him to wrestling at age 6 and nurtured his career is all aspects, even building a wrestling room in the basement of their home. Ben has a brother, Max Askren, who is also a highly decorated wrestler.
Other Titles:
Submission Grappling:
Abu Dhabi Combat Club
- 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships Quarterfinalist
International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
- 2009 FILA Grappling World Championships Senior No-Gi Gold Medalist
USA Wrestling
- FILA World Team Trials Senior No-Gi Winner (2009)
Amateur Wrestling:
International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
- 2010 Cerro Pelado International Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2010 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2009 Hargobind International Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2009 Sunkist Kids International Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2008 Kiev International Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- 2007 NYAC Holiday International Open Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2007 Hargobind International Tournament Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2005 Pan American Championships Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
USA Wrestling
- USA Senior Freestyle Olympic Team Trials Winner (2008)
- USA Junior Freestyle World Team Trials Winner (2004)
- USA Senior Freestyle National Championship (2008)
- USA University Freestyle National Championship Runner-up (2005)
- Asics Tiger High School All-American (2002)
- West Junior Freestyle Regional Championship (2002)
- Northern Plains Junior Freestyle Regional Championship (2001, 2002)
- Northern Plains Junior Freestyle Regional Championship Runner-up (2000)
National Collegiate Athletic Association
- NCAA Division 1 Collegiate Championship (2006, 2007)
- NCAA Division 1 Collegiate Championship Runner-up (2004, 2005)
- NCAA Division 1 All-American (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
- Big 12 Conference Championship (2004, 2006, 2007)
- Big 12 Conference Championship Runner-up (2005)
- Dan Hodge Trophy Collegiate Wrestler of the Year (2006, 2007)
National Wrestling Coaches Association
- Schalles Award Top Collegiate Pinner of the Year (2006, 2007)
National High School Coaches Association
- NHSCA Senior High School National Championship Runner-up (2002)
- NHSCA Senior All-American (2002)
Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association
- WIAA Division 1 High School State Championship (2000, 2001)
- WIAA Division 1 High School State Championship Runner-Up (1999)
- WIAA Division 1 All-State (1999, 2000, 2001)
- Classic 8 Conference Championship (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
Disc Golf:
Professional Disc Golf Association
- 2011 United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship 2nd Place
- 2009 PDGA Amateur World Doubles Championships Advanced 4th Place
- 2009 St. Louis Open Advanced 2nd Place
- 2009 Mighty MO Advanced 1st Place
- 2006 Alabama Amateur Open Intermediate 3rd Place
- 2005 Highnoon at Indiantown Intermediate 2nd Place
