Gracies Explain Why Ben Askren Had Legitimate Choke On Robbie Lawler

Ben Askren had a legitimate choke secured on former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler according to Rener and Ryron Gracie. They gave their foregone conclusion on this welterweight bout during a video on their “Gracie Breakdown” channel.

“Was it an early stoppage?” Rener asked his brother. “Yes,” Ryron responded. “Did that affect the outcome?” Rener followed up. “No,” added by Ryron.

Askren beat Lawler at the UFC 235 pay-per-view event from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In round one, Askren locked in a bulldog choke and the referee steps in as he thinks he had Lawler out but Lawler claims to be awake and was. It was controversial, to say the least.

The Gracie brothers would continue by stating that the fighters are told by the referee before fights that when they check on a fighter who is in a submission to squeeze their hand.

“It was a legit choke,” Rener stated (H/T to Bloody Elbow) “If the fight was not stopped, Robbie would go unconscious from this situation, that is our belief.” Well, what about the fact Lawler had his chin tucked? “The chin tuck debate, ‘because the chin is tucked it’s just pain, it’s not a blood choke.’ That’s not true either. Ask Conor, ask Khabib…”