Ben Askren, the aspiring MMA fighter and former NCAA champion and Olympic wrestler, has signed with the Bellator Fighting Championships.Askren will fight in Bellator's welterweight tournament, which begins in the spring as part of Bellator's new deal with Fox Sports Net. In a statement, Askren said he's excited about the Fox Sports deal.
"I like that my fights are going to broadcast nationally, I like the tournament-style format and I love the opportunity to be a part of something exciting and new," Askren said. "I plan on winning Bellator. My goal, as it always has been, is to be the best in the world."
Although Askren is getting married on April 9, the day after Bellator's Season 2 premiere, he said that won't interfere with his fighting.
"My fiancé doesn't really like the whole getting punched in the face thing, but she accepts it and is excited for me to continue to compete in MMA for Bellator," he said.
Askren started fighting MMA this year, amassing a 3-0 record fighting in small shows in Missouri and Iowa. Bellator has not announced the complete roster of the Season 2 welterweight tournament, although Dan Hornbuckle is also expected to compete in it. The winner of the tournament will face Lyman Good, who won last year's welterweight tournament, in Season 3.
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