It is officially a done deal! Former ONE Champion and Bellator welterweight title holder Ben Askren has joined the UFC roster.
A historic trade involving ONE Championship sending Ben Askren to the UFC in exchange for former flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson was confirmed by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
The historic Demetrious Johnson vs. Ben Askren trade is a done deal, multiple sources confirm. Full story coming shortly to @espn.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 27, 2018
“The historic Demetrious Johnson vs. Ben Askren trade is a done deal, multiple sources confirm. Full story coming shortly to @espn.”
Not only is this trade historic for MMA, it’s one of the rare times in sports where every party involved is happy with the deal. Johnson wanted to sign with ONE; Askren wanted a chance to prove he’s the best in UFC. Their reps/the orgs worked to get it done. Win-win for all.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 27, 2018
“Not only is this trade historic for MMA, it’s one of the rare times in sports where every party involved is happy with the deal. Johnson wanted to sign with ONE; Askren wanted a chance to prove he’s the best in UFC. Their reps/the orgs worked to get it done. Win-win for all.”
Immediately after news of the trade first surfaced, Ben Askren took to Twitter where he took aim at members of the current UFC roster.
“Funky” proceeded to get in heated exchanges with fellow welterweights Mike Perry, Darren Till, Alan Jouban, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
The former Bellator and ONE Championship title holder, Ben Askren, also called for a 165-pound super-fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA).
Askren believes a fight with “The Eagle” would prove who is the best MMA grappler on planet earth.
Following today’s official news, Ben Askren asked his new boss to unblock him on Twitter.
Hey BOSS, time to unblock me 😉 pic.twitter.com/563Pr51MbC
— Funky (@Benaskren) October 27, 2018
“Hey BOSS, time to unblock me ;)” – Ben Askren
As for former UFC flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson, it was recently announced that “Mighty Mouse” will be in attendance at next month’s “ONE Championship 78: Heart of the Lion” event in Singapore.
Who would you like to see Ben Askren and Demetrious Johnson fight first with their new promotions?