Breaking: Demetrious Johnson For Ben Askren Trade Is Official
The first major intra-organization trade in mixed martial arts (MMA) is official. The UFC has finalized their Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren deal with ONE Championship.
After news of the previously unheard-of deal shook the MMA world this week, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that it has been finalized.
Helwani pointed out that the trade was not only historic but a rare instance where both sides were happy. ‘Mighty Mouse’ wanted to go to ONE, and Askren wanted to prove he could defeat the best in the UFC:
Helwani closed by saying the deal was indeed an official trade. Johnson and Askren were released from their contracts with the UFC and ONE, but they were not free to sign with anyone else. They were now official ONE and UFC fighters, respectively.
Askren has taken full advantage of the newfound attention now that’s finally coming to the UFC. He began by calling out much of the UFC welterweight division to headline-making results. Darren Till was perhaps the biggest target of his vitriol, and the one who talked the most smack back as well.
But he soon turned his eye to bigger game. Askren called out UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, legendary former UFC welterweight champ GSP, and of course, the Diaz brothers. He even said he’d fight both Nick and Nate Diaz in a two-on-one handicap match.
‘Mighty Mouse’ did change his Twitter handle, but he hasn’t been drumming up near as much interest by comparison.
