Ben Askren swiftly responded to Paige VanZant’s remarks, asserting that her comments weren’t worthy of his attention. However, he thanked her for indirectly highlighting the vast disparity in their respective careers. Askren emphasized the stark contrast in their achievements, suggesting that VanZant could only aspire to the level of success he attained.
During his stint in the UFC, Askren faced mixed results, tallying a record of 1-2, notably falling to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Despite controversy surrounding his debut victory against Robbie Lawler, Askren’s reputation as a formidable fighter preceded his time in the UFC. Prior to joining the organization, he established himself as one of the premier welterweights globally, clinching titles in both ONE Championship and Bellator.
VanZant, a former UFC flyweight contender, notched notable victories over Felice Herrig and Bec Rawlings during her tenure with the promotion. Despite showcasing early promise in her career, she encountered difficulties against seasoned opponents and never contended for a championship title.
Askren’s legacy extends beyond his UFC tenure, with an impressive undefeated streak of 20 professional fights, which included successful title defenses in Bellator against formidable opponents like Douglas Lima and Andrey Koreshkov.
Despite facing criticism, particularly following his loss to Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021, Askren remains resolute in his retirement from combat sports. He stands by his accomplishments in MMA, brushing off detractors like VanZant, who may downplay his achievements.
