Former ONE Championship and Bellator MMA welterweight champion Ben Askren recently underwent hip replacement surgery. The procedure helped ‘Funky’ recover so much that he feels as though he has superpowers and is an advanced version of himself.  This was seen in the manner of his hilarious social media call-out.

The retired fighter challenged Michael Bisping to a match for the “bionic man” belt. He took to Twitter and wrote, “I’d battle (Michael Bisping) for the Bionic Man Belt!!!”

The Bionic man is a reference to the protagonist of the 1970s American sci-fi show ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’. USAF Colonel Steve Austin sustains an injury, and following surgery, he gets fitted with bionic implants to become a technologically enhanced individual. a.k.a ‘bionic man’.

Ben Askren likely targeted Bisping as the British fighter said “I laugh at a hip replacement.” The former UFC middleweight champion spotted the challenge and dismissed ‘Funky.’ He wrote, “Wouldn’t be much of a battle mate.” 

Not to be put off so quickly, the newly rechristened ‘Bionic Ben’ hit back. He claimed that he could take ‘The Count’ down with no physical ailments plaguing him any longer. “Mikey now that I can actually bend at the hip joint I take you down no problem bubba”

Fans were quick to pounce on Askren’s humiliating loss at UFC 239 and point out he was unsuccessful in his takedown against Jorge Masvidal.

Michael Bisping vs Ben Askren: A fight that we may never see

‘The Count’ retired following eye issues after his fight against Kelvin Gastelum. He has transitioned to a role behind the desk at UFC fight nights and come into his own as a commentator. At 41, it seems unlikely he will strap on his MMA gloves for a fight again.

Askren is three years younger and post-retirement, his fans can catch him on his podcast. He can return to the UFC for a final fight. But it is unlikely that the promotion would mint a “bionic man” belt. 

WATCH: Michael Bisping Does The Iconic ‘Valentina Shevchenko Victory Dance’

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Also, Dana White rejected certain super fights as he claims to want fights that matter in the rankings. An Askren vs Bisping fight will not make sense in the long run. 

Nevertheless, fans would be enthused to see the former fighter in good spirits after his surgery. What do you make of Ben Askren’s amusing tweets? Should the UFC consider a onetime “bionic man” belt akin to the BMF belt that was in play last year?