LONDON – For a guy who was there only as a guest, Ben Askren had quite the fight week heading into UFC on ESPN+ 5.
Backstage at The O2, Askren touched on a variety of topics in a scrum with reporters during the event, including MMA Junkie. One of the things the undefeated Askren constantly has brought up since signing with the UFC late last year is the creation of a 165-pound division and him fighting for the inaugural title.
If – or as he says, when – that happens, Askren’s ideal scenario would be to take on UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for the 165-pound title. The way Askren sees it, that fight is marketable in so many ways.
“If there’s some way I could make that happen next, I would make it happen … I don’t think I can, right? I think I’m like one or two fights away from that happening,” Askren said. “But that is something that would be an awesome fight: great storyline, both undefeated, the USA vs. Russia thing always plays. And then you also got like the best wrestler in MMA type of thing playing. So you would have a whole lot of angles to play. That fight would be a lot of fun.”
Unfortunately for Askren, UFC President Dana White continues to insist that a 165-pound division isn’t happening. Perhaps Askren just sold is boss on the idea, though?
Watch the video above for Askren’s full media scrum in which he discusses why he believes Georges St-Pierre isn’t necessarily retired for good, where a potential rematch with Robbie Lawler stands, why Colby Covington deserves the next title shot vs. Kamaru Usman, and more.
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 5, visit the UFC Events section of the site.
