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“We Traded an Arms Dealer for a Pot Head??” – Americans Warned Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap Is a “Bad Deal” as Ex-UFC Star Shares His Honest Thoughts

Published 12/16/2022, 4:05 PM EST

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Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is finally coming back to her country. The return was made possible after Russia and the USA agreed to a one-for-one prisoner trade. Griner had been in a Russian prison since February. A Russian court found Brittney Griner guilty of possession of cannabis oil. Russian authorities detained her while she was on her way to play in the Russian league in the WNBA off-season. Griner had been behind the bars for 10 months and voices for Human Rights had been getting louder for her release. Ex- UFC star Ben Askren has now expressed his views about Griner‘s swap deal.

Askren didn’t seem too excited about the hooper’s return. He was rather skeptical of the deal. Russian authorities released Brittney Griner in exchange for International Arms dealer Viktor Bout.

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Askren was concerned over the arms dealers’ release and openly called it a bad deal. He even called Griner a “Pot Head“.

Brittney Griner is not so important for ex-UFC star

Ben Askren took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the Griner return deal. He was rather open in his statement; where he said the deal was not such a good idea.

He tweeted, We traded an arms dealer for a pot head, Seems like a bad deal

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United States President Joe Biden had earlier tweeted about Griner. He said Griner was safe and on a plane to come back home. It had become very clear that the solution to the Brittney Griner situation was a diplomatic one; once Griner pleaded guilty. Earlier, the US government was trying to get former marines accused and imprisoned for espionage in Russia, Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner for setting Viktor Bout free; but the deal didn’t fall through.

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Joe Rogan had talked about Griner being used as an example:

Griner‘s imprisonment in Russia was discussed by popular podcaster Joe Rogan, too. He was talking to guests on his show and said that the Russians were using Griner as an example. He also mentioned how so many Russian athletes who came to the United States never had a problem.

via Getty

Griner will start a new chapter in her life when she wakes up on American soil. The detention and imprisonment will take their own time to wash away. The trauma and the hardships may haunt her like a nightmare for a while, but fans will expect her to bounce back on the court more determined and focussed than ever. Are you happy for Brittney Griner?

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Watch This Story: Life changing news expected on Brittney Griner in less than 1 month after Russia’s Veiled hint

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Written by:

Akshay Pallav

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Akshay Pallav is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed his undergraduation from National Institute of Fashion Technology in Apparel Production, he has been a sports enthusiast all his life and has several medals at the University level across multiple sports including basketball, badminton, track and field. He aspires to interview Conor McGregor and Cristiano Ronaldo someday.
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Edited by:

Vineet Nandwana