Askren wins Bellator

Former Missouri wrestler Ben Askren came into Thursday’s mixed-martial arts fight saying he was going to win. Those were pretty heavy words considering his opponent had 21 wins in his professional career.

Askren’s words rang true in a lopsided 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 win over Dan Hornbuckle. The victory gave Askren the welterweight championship in Bellator XXII at the Power & Light District.

“I knew Dan was dangerous on his feet, so I tried to take him down,” said Askren, who is 6-0. “I wanted to take him down. I told people that. I just stuck to my game plan.

“My first takedown was a little sloppy, but after that the takedowns came easier. I just stuck to my game plan. I had a great wrestling base.”

At the postfight news conference, Askren said his wrestling career was over for the time being and instead of doing one MMA practice and one wrestling practice a day, he will concentrate solely on MMA.

Read the entire article by www.kansascity.com here…