Saturday, March 2nd was the highly anticipated UFC debut of the undefeated Ben Askren. Askren is a former olympic wrestler and has long been considered one of the best welterweight’s in the world outside of the UFC. At UFC 235 he made his promotional debut against former world champion Robbie Lawler.
Ben Askren’s long-awaited UFC debut delivered in just about every way possible on Saturday night.
The undefeated former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion squared off with former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 and it was one of the wildest sub-one-round fights you’ll ever see. Askren roared back from deep trouble against Lawler to finish the fight on a controversial submission call.
The time of the stoppage on a bulldog choke at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was 3:20 of the opening round.
Man, I’m not the referee, Askren said. My job is to fight.
source: mmafighting.com
Official Result: Ben Askren defeated Robbie Lawler by Technical Choke (Bulldog Choke, Round 1, 3:20)
Play-By-Play
Round 1 – Askren ducks under for the shot immediately and gets a hook in, hanging on the back. Lawler elevates Askren and dumps him to the mat with a thud. Lawler is pounding away with punches, and it looks like Askren is about to go out. Askren gets a whizzer and drives Lawler to the fence, and Lawler nails Askren with a knee before backing off. Askren walks right into a punch, but he keeps coming forward and gets into the clinch. He ties up against the fence, and Lawler tries to pull out. He knees the body repeatedly, but Askren has his arms and fires off a knee. Lawler still firing knees, and Askren dips right into one to the head. Lawler tries to escape against the fence, and Askren ducks under for the ankle pick. Lawler sprawls out, and Askren trips him to the mat. Lawler is seated and Askren takes the back in transition. Lawler turns, and Askren secures a bulldog choke. It looks like Lawler’s arm goes limp, and Dean steps in to stop the bout. Lawler pops right up. He’s not out. Major mistake, it appears.
source: mmajunkie.com
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