Former UFC star Ben Askren has defended his decision to fight Jake Paul, even after falling to an embarrassing first-round knockout.
Askren, who was an Olympic wrestler and MMA champion in major organisations like ONE FC and Bellator, fought Paul in April of last year after the YouTuber had beaten basketball star Nate Robinson. The famed wrestler was as well-known for his poor striking as he was for his legendary grappling during his fighting days, but took the fight regardless for a career-high payday.
The fighter had been retired for almost two years when he faced Paul, and had undergone hip surgery. But he believes that it would have been "cowardly" not to do the event, particularly after fellow MMA star Dillon Danis had opted not to compete due to injury.
