Ben Askren Interested In Fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov For 165-Pound Belt Despite Dana White Said This Division “Wasn’t Happening”
Many fighters were mentioning potential 165-pound division in the past. For example, Nate Diaz announced “he would be fighting 165lb superfighter devision belt versus Dustin Poirier at the main event of UFC 230”. Many MMA names reacted positively to Nate’s click bait but Dana White quickly turned the rumors down.
It seems the 165-pound weight class won’t happen soon. Yet, it doesn’t stop guys like Ben Askren from doing everything to promote themselves.
UFC 235 press conference was held on January 31, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Ben Askren was more than interested to meet the current UFC Lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The question of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s return was a hot topic at UFC 235 presser. The current Lightweight champion received a nine-month suspension and a $500,000 fine for his role in UFC 229 post-fight incident, which could be reduced to six months if he successfully completes an anti-bullying program. Dana White said he was unsure of Khabib’s comeback date.
“Right, yeah, no I haven’t talked to them yet, but we’ll get it figured out.”
Ben Askren then suggested he could fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for a 165-pound belt, claiming USA Vs Russia would be a great storyline.
“If the 165 becomes available, you know, America-Russia is always a great storyline. It always is. Since the Cold War. Think about that. Think about how it sells.”
But Dana White was definitively not interested in creating a new weight class.
“165 isn’t happening.”
Oh, but Ben Askren didn’t stop there. Both Askren and Khabib are undefeated, so “Funky” said “someone’s O had gotta go”.
“By that point, we’re gonna have 20-0 Ben Askren vs. 27-0 Khabib. Someone’s ‘O’ has gotta go. I will get on his back and I will chant, ‘U.S.A!’
Ben Askren made an excellent first UFC press conference appearance no doubt about that. Would you like to see the match between Askren and Nurmagomedov?
