Wrestling fans often times follow wrestlers from the time they are in high school through their college wrestling careers. Unfortunately, many wrestlers get minimal media coverage when they switch to MMA. Our goal is to highlight successful wrestlers making the transition to MMA.
On my first assignment, I will be traveling to Des Moines tonight (August 28) with InterMat senior writer Andrew Hipps. Our colleague and friend, Scott Casber, is promoting a MaxFightsDM event called the “Ballroom Brawl.” It’s also the first all-pro MMA card in Des Moines (www.maxfightsdm.com). One name on this card that may intrigue InterMat readers: Ben Askren.
Ben Askren (2-0) vs. Matt Delanoit (13-6)
Ben Askren’s wrestling career has been well documented. Two-time NCAA champion. Two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner. 2008 Olympian. Very few MMA fighters have the past experience and skill set that Askren brings to the table. But the question remains: Can he take the next step? After watching what NCAA champions like Brock Lesnar, Josh Koscheck, Johny Hendricks, and Mark Munoz have accomplished in MMA in a relatively short period of time, one can conclude that Askren has limitless potential.
Ben Askren faces his stiffest test against Matt Delanoit (Photo/BenAskren.net)Who will win? The fans ... That's who. Questions will be answered. Askren is making a huge jump in competition. A win here puts him in line to get to a bigger venue like the UFC, Strikeforce, or even the previously mentioned Adrenaline MMA card. A loss will set him back six months of basic training. Askren plans to move to Arizona, where he will be an assistant wrestling coach at Arizona State and train at Arizona Combat Sports, that already has UFC fighters and former amateur wrestlers like Ryan Bader and C.B. Dalloway. I believe that once Askren finds his rhythm, range, and gets the takedowns, he will secure a three-round decision over Delanoit.
I want everyone to know that as InterMat readers, you have a voice. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, article suggestions, or wrestlers turned MMA fighters you would like us to research. Or better yet, if you are like me, a former high school wrestler who is training, or has trained, that would like to shed light on what it’s like, shoot me a line. It’s tough with the UFC Monster always picking winners, so I try to stay away from making predictions. Make sure to read his analysis and predictions before UFC events. For all the latest MMA news, rumors, and more, check out my Twitter page at www.twitter.com/tonynguyenmma.
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