Ben Askren Considering Retirement After Latest Defeat
A defeated Askren, who has now suffered two straight defeats, is now considering retiring from professional MMA competition.
“Retirement is definitely something I am considering,” Askren said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show (via Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie). “I would be lying to you if I said I was not. It’s just a time-cost analysis. I have a lot of things to do in my life. I’m a really busy guy. I have a lot of things I’m passionate about, and I love. Not training specifically, but to and from setting stuff up, I’m probably spending about 30 hours a week on MMA related stuff. ‘Can I place my time better somewhere else’ is definitely a thought process that’s crossed my mind. That being said, two more things: All I ever wanted was an opportunity. That’s all I ever wanted. I got my opportunity, so it would be hard to be bitter or disgruntled in any way because I had the opportunity I wanted. I wasn’t able to execute on that opportunity, and that’s on me. That is kind of one thought process. Then the other thought process is part of me wants to fight more. I thought I was doing really well in the Demian Maia fight.”
Askren has won just one of three during his time in the UFC, with that lone win coming over former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 235.
The fighter has not made a decision yet regarding retirement, but does know the he needs to get to getting.
“I would say my feelings are very, very mixed,” Askren said. “There’s parts of me that say, ‘Yeah, of course I want to fight some more. I think I can still compete with the best guys in the world.’ I’ve beaten some of the best guys in the world. Douglas Lima, I was really happy to see him get some credit this weekend after beating Rory MacDonald, because I think he’s fantastic. Part of me says, ‘Man, I’ve got a lot of things I want to do with my life, so I need to get to getting.’”
If Askren does decide to hang up the gloves, it would end a professional MMA career that began in February of 2009.
