Ben Askren faces a very interesting challenge this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 162.
Askren, a former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion, takes on Demian Maia in the main event from Kallang, Singapore. The event goes down inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium live on ESPN+.
For the first time in his career, Askren is coming off a loss. He was finished in a matter of seconds by Jorge Masvidal earlier this year.
Ben Askren On Bouncing Back, The Welterweight Division, Demian Maia
How will Askren respond to the setback? Will we see a different fighter than before the loss? Those questions will be answered this weekend.
The 35-year-old Askren is no stranger to adversity or overcoming it. He embarked on his stellar MMA career after coming up short of earning gold in wrestling.
Askren Scores Title Defense Over Agilan Thani
Askren was an Olympic qualifier in 2008, placing sixth following a loss in the Round of 8. After falling to Ivan Fundora at the Olympics, he earned a small matter of revenge two years later. At the Cerro Pelado International, he downed Fundora.
Earlier this year, Askren returned to wrestling at Beat the Streets. Instead of taking on a winnable opponent, he battled Jordan Burroughs.
Taking On Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs On The Mats
Winning his first 19 mixed martial arts bouts, Askren found himself at the top of his game. However, the five-second setback to Masvidal forced him to regroup and think about everything he has ever known.
What will we see from Askren on Saturday? Tune in and find out.
The card also includes lightweight matchups pitting Michael Johnson against Stevie Ray and Frank Camacho meeting Beneil Dariush. Heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Don’tale Mayes are scheduled, along with welterweights Muslim Salikhov and Laureano Staropoli.
Among the key prelims are Randa Markos versus Ashley Yoder and Aleksandra Albu taking on Loma Lookbonmee.
The prelims kickoff at 5 a.m. ET with the main card set for 8 a.m. ET.
UFC Fight Night 162: Maia Vs. Askren Fight Card
MAIN CARD (ESPN+)
Welterweight: Demian Maia vs. Ben Askren
Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Stevie Ray
Lightweight: Frank Camacho vs. Beneil Dariush
Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Don’tale Mayes
Welterweight: Muslim Salikhov vs. Laureano Staropoli
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)
Female Strawweight: Randa Markos vs. Ashley Yoder
Lightweight: Alex White vs. Rafael Fiziev
Featherweight: Enrique Barzola vs. Movsar Evolev
Heavyweight: Sergei Pavlovich vs. Maurice Greene
Female Strawweight: Loma Lookbonmee vs. Aleksandra Albu
Heavyweight: Raphael Pessoa Nunes vs. Jeff Hughes