LAS VEGAS – Ben Askren kept his perfect record intact, but it didn’t come without incredible struggle – and incredible controversy – in a wild one-round fight with Robbie Lawler.
The welterweight bout was part of the main card of today’s UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass.
Askren (19-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) wasted little time looking for a takedown, moving immediately inside and into the clinch. Lawler (28-13 MMA, 13-7 UFC) defended well and then returned the favor, lifting his opponent in the air and slamming him hard to the floor. Once there, Lawler starting raining down absolute bombs that left referee Herb Dean precariously close to stopping the fight. He let them continue, and Askren did turn to his body and push his way back to the feet. Bleeding badly, Askren took a knee to the body and looked absolutely drained. Still, he pushed on.
Working from the clinch, Askren pressed the action to the fence, where Lawler battled to stay upright. Using overhooks to slow things down, Askren eventually got low on a single, and then inside on two legs, dragging the fight down. Slipping around to the back, Askren hunted the choke just as Lawler did his best to spin free. Askren didn’t let him get all the way through, holding on to a bulldog choke and squeezing. Seeing Lawler’s right arm fall to the canvas, Dean rushed in and called a stop to the fight at the 3:20 mark of the first round. However, Lawler popped immediately to his feet and protested the call.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 235 results include:
- Ben Askren def. Robbie Lawler via technical submission (bulldog choke) – Round 1, 3:20
- Weili Zhang def. Tecia Torres via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Pedro Munhoz def. Cody Garbrandt via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:52
- Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Johnny Walker def. Misha Cirkunov via TKO (flying knee, punches) – Round 1, 0:36
- Cody Stamann def. Alejandro Perez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Diego Sanchez def. Mickey Gall via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:13
- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Charles Byrd via TKO (elbows, punches) – Round 1, 0:38
- Macy Chiasson def. Gina Mazany via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:49
- Hannah Cifers def. Polyana Viana via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
For complete coverage of UFC 235, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
