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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 02: Ben Askren celebrates his submission victory over Robbie Lawler in their welterweight bout during the UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 02: Ben Askren celebrates his submission victory over Robbie Lawler in their welterweight bout during the UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Former UFC welterweight turned boxer Ben Askren is gearing up for arguably the most high-profile bout of his career. ‘Funky’ Ben is now just days away from taking on 2-0 boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul in Atlanta. The bout takes place under the Triller banner with former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir also boxing on the card.
Chiefly, Askren took to social media and released a fan-made hype trailer for the aforementioned fight that has got everyone’s attention. The 60-second montage perfectly captured the view of the average fan. Moreover, Askren leaned in heavily on promoting the fight as it’s going up against UFC and Bellator over the weekend.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
THE ONLY TRAILER YOU NEED TO SEE FOR THIS WEEKEND! Sound on and watch till the end @triller @u_brought_it_on pic.twitter.com/6ZYNHZ9nEb
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 15, 2021
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Ben Askren vs Jake Paul: The countdown begins
A year ago, the aforementioned scrap wasn’t on anyone’s radar. However, things change rather quickly in fight sports. Jake Paul and Ben Askren have been tasked with putting on a show in one of the most ambitious cross over events in recent memory. The fight is compelling for several reasons, none more than the fact that Jake Paul will be tested against an actual combat sports athlete.
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 30: Jake Paul looks on against AnEsonGib during their fight at Meridian at Island Gardens on January 30, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
‘The Problem Child’ has boxed two celebrity personalities who don’t exactly fit the mold of a fighter. Following Paul’s KO win over NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr card, the world took notice. Furthermore, the step-up in competition in taking on Ben Askren is massive.
‘Funky Ben’: Something to prove?
Ben Askren retired from MMA in October 2019 after being choked unconscious by Demian Maia in their fight. The latter part of Askren’s three-fight UFC run left plenty to be desired, however, he accomplished his fair share in the cage. Despite retiring, ‘Funky’ kept the door open for a comeback fight which presented itself in the form of Jake Paul.
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SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – OCTOBER 26: Ben Askren stands in his corner prior to his welterweight bout against Demian Maia of Brazil during the UFC Fight Night event at Singapore Indoor Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Singapore. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The entire MMA community has rallied behind Askren and expects him to put on unrelenting pressure on Paul. While it wouldn’t be unfathomable, a Jake Paul KO victory would certainly make buzzing headlines. The intrigue of the aforementioned match-up has reached critical mass and the entire fight world is sure to tune in.
