Ben Askren has responded strongly to Jorge Masvidal’s talk of a rematch, claiming that Masvidal is afraid of being embarrassed. The former welterweight champion engaged in a war of words with Masvidal on his Funky & The Champ show. He countered Masvidal’s boxing rematch offer, pointing out that Masvidal hasn’t shown the same eagerness for an MMA rematch due to his fear of humiliation.
Askren emphasized that Masvidal isn’t afraid of physical fights or pain but is scared of the potential embarrassment that could result from facing him again. Askren humorously stated that he could dominate Masvidal in the fight, causing him discomfort and leaving him with mat burns that would lead to embarrassment.
The two fighters had a notable bout in 2019 at UFC 239, where Masvidal scored a spectacular knockout victory with a flying knee in just five seconds. This knockout propelled Masvidal to fame while ending Askren’s MMA career. Masvidal recently threw a challenge for a boxing rematch, to which Askren responded by expressing his willingness to fight Masvidal in a rematch but not in boxing, as it wouldn’t make sense.
Askren initially wanted to leave the rivalry behind, but Masvidal’s recent comments reignited the feud. Askren admitted that his ego plays a role in his continued prodding of Masvidal. He mentioned that if he has to use dismissive tactics to goad Masvidal into accepting the rematch, he’s willing to do so. Askren even joked about threatening legal action to force Masvidal into an MMA rematch.
In the rematch, Askren intends to focus on a dominant performance rather than a submission victory. He expressed his desire to avenge his previous loss to Masvidal and highlighted the rarity of getting a second chance in such situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rematch
What is the background of the rivalry between Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal?
Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal had a notable MMA bout in 2019 at UFC 239. Masvidal won with a spectacular flying knee knockout in just five seconds, becoming famous overnight.
Why did Ben Askren respond strongly to Jorge Masvidal’s rematch talk?
Ben Askren believes Masvidal is afraid of being embarrassed, which is why he’s hesitant about a rematch. Askren highlighted that Masvidal isn’t scared of fights or pain but fears the potential humiliation in a rematch.
How did Ben Askren counter Masvidal’s boxing rematch offer?
Askren expressed his willingness to rematch Masvidal in MMA but dismissed the idea of a boxing match. He humorously stated that boxing wouldn’t make sense, and he’d prefer an MMA bout.
What is Ben Askren’s strategy for the rematch?
Askren plans to focus on a dominant performance rather than a submission victory. He wants to beat Masvidal for a full 15 minutes and avenge his previous loss.
What approach did Ben Askren use in their initial fight?
In their first fight, Askren employed dismissive tactics to goad Masvidal into accepting the bout, given fighters’ egos and competitive nature.
What was Jorge Masvidal’s recent challenge?
Masvidal threw a challenge for a boxing rematch with Askren, asserting his confidence in beating him even with both hands tied behind his back.
How did Ben Askren respond to Masvidal’s challenge?
Askren initially wanted to leave the rivalry behind but felt compelled to respond due to Masvidal’s recent comments. He expressed his desire for an MMA rematch rather than a boxing match.
What was the outcome of their first fight?
Jorge Masvidal defeated Ben Askren with a flying knee knockout in just five seconds at UFC 239.
How did the outcome of their first fight impact their careers?
The quick knockout propelled Masvidal to instant stardom, headlining UFC events and challenging for titles. Askren retired after just one more fight following the loss.
What is Ben Askren’s overall sentiment towards a rematch with Masvidal?
Askren has mixed feelings; he’s willing to rematch Masvidal to avenge his loss, but he also acknowledges that he’s less interested in fighting compared to coaching wrestling.
More about Rematch
- UFC 239: Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren Fight Recap
- Jorge Masvidal’s Challenge for Boxing Rematch
- Ben Askren’s Response to Masvidal’s Boxing Challenge
- Ben Askren’s Funky & The Champ Show
