Ben Askren

aarons23 · August 03, 2013, 09:27:25 AM

I think he likes it when people doubt him. I think he thrives on doubters......makes him work harder and smarter just to prove people wrong....so Ben...I think you suck...you got lucky in all your fights and Little AJ would woop your but. Lol. Hope that helps Ben.

bigoil · August 03, 2013, 09:49:38 AM

I have no idea if Ben is diversified enough in his talents. Guys have been successful against wrestlers with avoiding the ground and pound. Can Ben stand and exchange for 5 rounds?

Coach Lu · August 03, 2013, 10:06:22 AM

Quote from: howavi on August 03, 2013, 09:49:38 AM
I have no idea if Ben is diversified enough in his talents. Guys have been successful against wrestlers with avoiding the ground and pound. Can Ben stand and exchange for 5 rounds?

I can remember preparing to wrestle Ben in High School when he was going after the takedown record. I was told by people that if I could hang on my feet with him, I would be fine. Well, I hung on my feet by taking him down a few times, but after he turned me 5 or 6 times the score wasn't even close. His talents are visible and hidden. When Ben wants to, he will display whatever talent is needed to win.

JAMMIN · August 04, 2013, 01:38:01 PM

Quote from: howavi on August 03, 2013, 09:49:38 AM
I have no idea if Ben is diversified enough in his talents. Guys have been successful against wrestlers with avoiding the ground and pound. Can Ben stand and exchange for 5 rounds?

Ben doesn't have to stand and exchange for 5 rounds. His game is on the ground and he knows that. The real question is can other fighters prevent the takedown for 5 rounds?

bigoil · August 04, 2013, 02:17:57 PM

Many have done it. If not, guys like Kosheck, Hughes, Couture and even Gracie would be undefeated.

hammen · August 04, 2013, 07:24:36 PM

The older guys have a different wrestling feel than Ben does though - has to be very difficult to train for. I'm not sure his wrestling is comparable to any other wrestling in MMA right now.

bigoil · August 04, 2013, 08:27:30 PM

He's always been different but it is a lot to assume that in the cage that veterans couldn't dictate a different fight. Maybe Ben can stand up with the best of them, maybe he has some unbelievable Muay Tai, I'm just saying I haven't seen it. Somebody is going to come along that will either neutralize, dictate differently, etc. is Ben prepared for that? I read an article about Hendricks when he lost that he only had 1 or maybe 2 plans of attack and when that stopped working he had nothing else to go to. He now has 5-6 plans per fight.

hammen · August 04, 2013, 09:06:57 PM

I don't disagree with that - it definitely takes a versatile attack to be the best in the world. I just don't think Ben has really fought anyone who has challenged him enough to force him to use the other assets of his game. I hope we see it soon - I would pay a lot to watch Ben fight Hendricks or GSP.

whatever · August 04, 2013, 10:48:01 PM

Quote from: howavi on August 04, 2013, 02:17:57 PM
Many have done it. If not, guys like Kosheck, Hughes, Couture and even Gracie would be undefeated.

....add guys like Kevin Randleman and Mark Coleman to that list, Howavi.

SP_Coach · August 05, 2013, 09:10:29 AM

Quote from: hammen on August 04, 2013, 09:06:57 PM
I don't disagree with that - it definitely takes a versatile attack to be the best in the world. I just don't think Ben has really fought anyone who has challenged him enough to force him to use the other assets of his game. I hope we see it soon - I would pay a lot to watch Ben fight Hendricks or GSP.

I agree, these fights would be awesome. I would like to see him fight one or two fights with lower ranked guys but feel he could hang in these fights right away.