http://mmajunkie.com/2013/11/14/bellator-releases-welterweight-champion-ben-askren/ Askren is a consensus top-10 welterweight but has been criticized for his smothering style. The UFC has had interest in the past.
Re: Bellator releases welterweight champion Ben Askren Per Helwani... Dana in scrum: no interest in Ben Askren. I feel sorry for the people who are stuck in that shithole.
Re: Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren in limbo after release, UFC has no inte I think Rebney's decision to release Askren is pretty bizarre. He wouldn't release Eddie Alvarez who had lost in his title chance but he'll cut loose his reigning champion? Bellator is built on the idea of a tournament determining title shots, "where title shots are earned". Kind of goes against that idea that suddenly they are all about style and excitement. I mean, Doug Lima is an exciting fighter. I can understand them wanting him to be their champion. It's a little bit silly to bump him up by axing the guy ahead of him, though. Either they are all about guys working their way up or they aren't. Can't have it both ways. If Rebney said "we can't get top-10 fighters because they want to be in the UFC so we're going to sign the most exciting guys and put on the most memorable fights" I could understand that strategy. Edit: I should note that if Askren was serious about sitting out until Bellator's matching rights expired than cutting him makes sense, supposing he was determined not to stay with the company. That's not how Rebney worded it in his release.
Re: Update: Ben Askren to meet with UFC on Monday The UFC might sign Askren after all. After posturing as if they had no interest, they've agreed to meet with him tomorrow.
Re: Update: Ben Askren to meet with UFC on Monday Dana White says Askren isn't a top-10 fighter and belongs in World Series of Fighting so forget about him signing with the UFC.
