The match, originally for Askren's ONE FC welterweight title, became a non-title bout after the Russian contender failed to make weight.
Ben Askren (Photo/ONE Championship)"Askren put on an amazing display of high-level wrestling to score on multiple takedowns, maintaining control of Aleksakhin on the ground while doing damage from the mounted crucifix position," James Goyder of MMAMania.com reported. "Aleksakhin connected on a few solid strikes, but it wasn't enough to trump Askren's overall solid performance."
"Askren jumped the gun early, scoring multiple takedowns and looking like his typical 'Funky' self," Goyder continued. "He even threw a few spinning strikes to show off his growing arsenal. However, the Russian found a home for his fists after the second round and pushed Askren the distance for the first time since 2012."
"Not surprisingly, Askren dominated much of the fight on the floor, setting the pace in the opening round by wading into a body lock, throwing Aleksakhin into side control, then methodically going to work with elbows, punches, and knees to the head of his grounded opponent," is how MMAFighting.com's Shaun Al-Shatti described the bout. "Askren repeated the favor in round two, but faced the first real adversity of his ONE career once Aleksakhin started opening up with heavy strikes in the third."
Brian Knapp of Sherdog.com wrote, "Like so many other Askren opponents, Aleksakhin was put in untenable situations, often pinned beneath the four-time NCAA All-American and onetime Olympic wrestler. The champion executed a takedown inside the first minute, advanced to side control and grinded away at the chiseled Russian with elbows, short punches and knees to the head. With that, the tone was set."
"The fight more or less followed the narrative for the remaining four rounds," Knapp continued. "Aleksakhin (17-4) gave the Roufusport star pause in the third with power punches and a high kick but could not keep him at bay for long. Whenever Askren sensed danger, he turned to his takedowns and drove the challenger to his back. Aleksakhin stung Askren with a right hand in the fourth round but faded down the stretch, as the 'Funky' wrestler's work took an obvious toll on his gas tank and left him incapable of turning the tide with meaningful offense."
With the win, Askren is now 15-0 in his professional mixed martial arts career overall, and 3-0 (1 NC) in ONE Fighting Championships.
Askren, 31, was a four-time finalist at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as a Missouri wrestler, winning titles at 174 pounds in 2006 and 2007. The Wisconsin native was a member of the U.S. men's freestyle wrestling team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In February 2009, Askren launched his pro MMA career, earning a Bellator Fighting Championships title. He signed with ONE FC in December 2013, and won the welterweight crown at ONE FC 19 in September 2014.
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