Ben Askren is now an unrestricted free agent after Bellator released the undefeated welterweight. The Bellator Welterweight World Title will be vacant until Douglas Lima faces the winner of the Season 9 Welterweight Tournament later this winter when the new Bellator Welterweight Champion will be crowned.
Bellator releases welterweight champion Ben Askren
“I’ve said it many times, Ben’s a completely one-dimensional fighter who is utterly dominant in that dimension,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “I had a number of discussions with Ben and it became clear it was time for both parties to move in different directions. We’ve relinquished any right to match here and Ben can sign with whoever he chooses to sign with. Ben’s been at Bellator since the start of his career, I respect him and what he’s accomplished and wish him the best wherever he goes.”
Askren is a former Olympic wrestler who made his professional MMA debut in 2009. He has built up a 12-0 record and has been said to be one of the top welterweight fighter not signed by the UFC. “Funky” won the Bellator welterweight title in 2010 against Lyman Good at Bellator 33 and has defended it four times since. Most recently, Askren put a beating on Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 97, where he won the fight via fourth round TKO.
No word on where Askren will end up, but keep it locked to MMASucka.com for news on the free agent as it arises.