Bellator's welterweight champion Ben Askren is up for contract renewal and Bellator (supposedly) isn't keen on keeping him around. The most likely landing spot for Askren is the UFC (although DFW is skeptical that Bellator will let him walk). Askren has long sought the UFC spotlight and has been calling out and pestering UFC stars, most recently Josh Barnett for whatever reason. Askren is 12-0 and generally regarded as a top-10 welterweight but needs better competition if he's going to establish himself as a force in the sport. Askren could be a UFC title contender given he wins his debut. Askren has been criticized for his smothering wrestling style but his most recent win was a more thorough and devastating performance, perhaps the best of his career (defeating Andrey Koreshkov in the fourth round via TKO). Askren trains with Anthony Pettis under legendary striking coach Duke Roufus in Milwaukee and is expected to be in attendance on Saturday for Pettis' rematch with Ben Henderson.
Re: Do you want to see Ben Askren in the UFC? Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney says he will "wait and see what the UFC offers." Word is Askren will wait out his contract, wait out the matching period, and sign as a free agent wherever he intends to sign. This could mean he will be on the shelf for a year.
Re: Do you want to see Ben Askren in the UFC? [update: Bellator wants to see UFC's of To the UFC's credit, except for when Randy Couture was being a dick, they don't really have a problem with guys leaving and signing for someone else. In fact they encourage it for fighters who have lost a fight or two. Then again, nobody really wants to leave...
