Ben Askren knows where Francis Ngannou’s coming from. Like Ngannou, Askren has been involved in a warring relationship with UFC CEO Dana White. The verbal or media segment battle and/or otherwise is a signature byproduct for some at UFC. ‘Funky’ can’t help but sympathize with Ngannou at this point.
Earlier this month, the PFL debutant blew out Renan Ferreira at the “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view (PPV) event (read fight highlights). However, White is yet sold on the narrative (his own) that the Cameroonian crossed over for ulterior plans. More so because he couldn’t hog big bucks and pay-per-view points, as he would have lost against Jon Jones if he stayed on. White has also doubled down that he didn’t want to face “Bones” and ran. It’s a storyline Askren knows all too well.
Dana spent years lying, saying I didn’t want to fight the best, I didn’t want challenges, I was running away, and that couldn’t have been further from the truth, … it sucked to have this guy – it’s essentially slander, saying things about me that I knew weren’t true. Dana has this part of his personality when he can’t get what he wants, and in that case, he didn’t offer me a contract, so he kind of got what he wanted.
Ben Askren on the “Funky and the Champ” Show W/ Daniel Cormier
Askren was on the verge of a UFC contract in 2013, but it never materialized. He was the undefeated Bellator welterweight champion, having defended his title four times. The Team Roufusport fighter was out of contract after a TKO win over Andrey Koreshkov on 31 July 2013. After White expressed interest in a deal with Askren, he had a change of heart, to Askren’s surprise.
Ben Askren weighs in on Francis Ngannou’s case
Ben Askren had a newfound positive relationship with Dana White when he joined the promotion. The UFC boss praised Askren’s willingness to fight and promote himself under his watchful eye. Unfortunately, Askren’s UFC career was short-lived, posting a 1-2 record in the promotion and retiring with an injury later that year.
Now in retirement, Askren says he simply doesn’t have a connection with White. He wished he had joined UFC sooner, but he gets the print of differing narratives on Francis Ngannou and others. Ngannou’s move to PFL and the attempt to snub him out of UFC media content are similar to that of old-school star Randy Couture. Even Cris Cyborg faced similar blame for being a troublesome billing from the get-go.
I think because I was continuing to have success and people were continuing to follow me, he wanted me off in a dark corner where everyone ignored me or something. But he’s done the same thing with Cyborg, I believe Randy Couture had a similar experience, now Francis, but there’s this weird part of Dana’s personality where, if he doesn’t get exactly what he wants, he just starts crapping on people.
Ben Askren further said on the “Funky and the Champ” Show W/ Daniel Cormier
Ngannou’s return reignited discussion about his UFC exit. In turn, it also prompted the UFC CEO to repeatedly lash out at his former heavyweight champion. It’s up to a margin where White has aimlessly slammed him for losses even though he exited as the ex-UFC lineal heavyweight. Askren finds a weird trait in this where the bossman used his persona to shut out fighters in some dark, gritty narrative. He thinks Ngannou is the same.
