Ben Askren: Jorge Masvidal’s “Super Necessary” Line Was “Pretty Funny”

Ben Askren clearly still has some issues with Jorge Masvidal. But, the now-retired fighter says how ‘Gamebred’ responded to criticisms about their fight’s end, is indicative of why he’s become a big star.

Askren admits the “super necessary” line was funny

Chances are you’re aware that Masvidal and Askren battled last July, and that ‘Gamebred’ knocked out the decorated wrestler in just five seconds.

Masvidal KO’d Askren with a flying knee right out of the gate. But, he also tagged the decorated fighter with follow-up punches before the ref got there in time.

Well, after the event, Masvidal was asked about the fact he punched an already out Askren, and whether the shots were “necessary”.
The outspoken fighter responded by saying they were “super necessary”. Masvidal proceeded to argue that it’s his job to keep fighting until the ref stops it.

It should be noted that leading up to the fight, the welterweights traded numerous, verbal shots, and Masvidal also taunted Askren when he was out.

Ahead of Masvidal’s fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 on Saturday, Askren spoke with ESPN. While discussing Masvidal’s growing popularity, Askren conceded that even he found the “super necessary” line funny (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“I put the spotlight on him,” Askren said. “It is (all me). His Twitter followers, his Instagram followers went 5x, I put the spotlight on him.

I played the foil to him. I let him shine. Unfortunately, right? I thought I was going to crush him.”

“He says some of these things like ‘three-piece and a soda’ that maybe isn’t intentionally funny but it’s really authentic,” Askren said.

“People love that when he says F-ing super necessary, which I feel like he was kind of a douche for punching me when I was already unconscious.

I thought that was unnecessary, but he says it was super necessary. And you know what, it is pretty funny. I was the dude that got punched and I’ll say, you know what, that was Jorge being real and that was kind of funny.

Even though it was me and I thought he was a douchebag for punching me when I was unconscious, it was kind of funny. So, yes, there is a certain authenticity to Jorge that people really, really enjoy.

“Think about the people who are really popular, they’re very authentic. When they start getting fake, they start their demise.

Like Ronda (Rousey). I think she was really authentic in the beginning and then she started having this prima donna thing to her and people freaking hated it.”

Askren has a point

Regardless of whether you think Masvidal should have held up and not punished Askren further, there’s no question people are intrigued by his abilities on the mic. 

The “three-piece and a soda” line stemmed from Masvidal’s backstage scuffle with Leon Edwards, which, also became an instant classic in the MMA world.