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What appeared to be a routine guest appearance on AXS TV's Inside MMA turned to controversy when ONE FC welterweight champion Ben Askren was abruptly cut off from the program by host Kenny Rice.
Knowing it would illicit a response, co-host and former UFC champion Bas Rutten asked Askren to explain comments he made last week regarding UFC president Dana White's business practices. Askren obliged, but once he touched on buzzwords like 'UFC monopoly' and 'fighter pay,' Rice 'had to close down the soapbox,' as he put it.
Understandably upset, Askren immediately took to Twitter to call out AXS TV and its executives over the incident.
Hey @KennyRiceSports you man enough to debate or you gonna be a scared little UFC shill ??? @InsideMMAaxstv @AXSTVFights @mcuban
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) September 6, 2014
Hey @mcuban I thought @InsideMMAaxstv was an independent MMA news source. Better check how much @KennyRiceSports is taking from UFC
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) September 6, 2014
Saturday evening, Askren got a response from AXS Fights CEO Andrew Simon. Apologizing for the way he was treated, Simon invited Askren back to the program to 'continue the discussion.'
@andrewAXSTV @InsideMMAaxstv have me on for a debate of MMA economics with Mr. Kenny
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) September 7, 2014
Why do I have the feeling 'Funky' has already booked a flight to Los Angeles for an in-studio appearance?
Here's the original interview if you missed it:
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Technique talk. Luke Thomas and UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett discuss 'The Warmaster's' submission win over Dean Lister at Metamoris, the current state of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the future of catch wrestling and much more.
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Ronaldo Souza, Gegard Mousasi, Ben Rothwell, Alistair Overeem and Matt Mitrione move forward following UFC Fight Night: Foxwoods.
One more. Dana White says Jacare Souza will likely need to fight again before getting a middleweight title shot.
Never say never. Dana White and the UFC welcome back former light heavyweight Thiago Silva. 'He was acquitted of all charges. How do you not let the guy fight again?'
Ugh brawl. Some great explanation about how the pull apart brawl between Stephan Bonnar and Tito Ortiz was an incredibly shameful display that can't be unseen a great way for Bellator to draw attention to its product.
MEDIA STEW
Jacare talks win over Mousasi, plus highlights.
Dana pumping the brakes on Jacare's title shot chances, talks Overeem, Bisping vs. Rockhold and more.
KO's from the heavyweights.
Highlights from Bellator 123.
TTTHS.
Apropos of nothing, Joe Rogan explained his dislike of professional wrestling and apparently took a bit of flak for it.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night Foxwoods: Jacare vs Mousasi Post-Fight Press Conference
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Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs Tamada Post-Fight Press Conference
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Dustin "Clean" Denes - Chop Certified | London Real
TWEETS
Check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC Fight Night: Foxwoods
Victory lap.
That's awesome @roynelsonmma thank you!!! #respect
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) September 6, 2014
Really flattered with all the attention in the last 12 hours but to all my fans that have supported me through the losses, sincere thank you
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) September 6, 2014
UFC at Foxwoods with #TeamLauzon episode 5... This is all the fight day and post fight stuff! http://t.co/vXwUhwyW8K
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) September 7, 2014
I guess ppl think I'm cocky, excuse my frustration for going out trying to put on a fight for some bonus money. This is real shit for me
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) September 7, 2014
#wantagh #longisland #newyork http://t.co/Hq0NTYoVkN
— AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) September 6, 2014
Good morning guys, I just watched the fight and I won 1 and 2 round, Camozzi it's very tough guy and i really get exhaust at the 3 round.
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) September 6, 2014
What winning looks like lol couldn't do it without God... My family my friends & my team hard work... http://t.co/tI7w5udtnv
— Chris beal (@RealDealCbeal) September 6, 2014
I'm so blessed to have such great friends flying in from all around the United States to come watch me... http://t.co/W8YSe8zH9o
— Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) September 7, 2014
I dedicate this win to my coach John Wood @bigwoodmma , my team @SyndicateMMA &my fans. Thank u Tara & @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/GrrBUHZvtV
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) September 7, 2014
— tonya evinger (@tonyaevinger) September 7, 2014
Better luck next time.
Unfortunate turn of events! No damage.. And will be back in the gym soon to improve. Spirit is still high. Thanks fans for your support!
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) September 6, 2014
Out of all the bloody 3 rd wars I've seen Diego, Lauzon and many others in, why the hell did they stop my fight?
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 6, 2014
I was never beat, my will was never broken, I was winning that fight. I demand a rematch before the year ends @ufc @danawhite
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 6, 2014
I hope you all were entertained, you guys got robbed as much as me. That fight was going to be a 3 rd war. We all got robbed.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 6, 2014
Thank you for all the words of support. I will continue to grow as a martial artist and will always come back a better fighter.
— Tank (@TankScogginsMMA) September 6, 2014
"@d0xa: Bullshit decision lost me a grand @ufc @ChrisCamozzi" tell me about it. I lost quite a bit too!
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) September 6, 2014
Did you guys have as much fun watching @InvictaFights as I did fighting at #InvictaFC8 on @ufcfightpass ???
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) September 7, 2014
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raising hell in @bellatormma pic.twitter.com/L98X9yMFk2
— Stephan Bonnar (@StephanBonnar) September 6, 2014
Get well soon.
Rehab is going good: http://t.co/6QQElGJnuQ на @YouTube
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 5, 2014
Silva's message.
Thiago Silva message to fans after hearing news of return to #UFC https://t.co/JarouYRTe0 #blackziliansTV
— Blackzilians (@blackzilians) September 8, 2014
Agree?
I'll be the first to say it: the standard @UFC cage is too big. I think it allows for too much running. A smaller cage would increase action
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) September 6, 2014
Bryan Caraway already has this on a mug.
@ufc @lorenzofertitta @dc_mma @danawhite @LukeRockhold @arielhelwani @AliAbdelaziz00 @Rizvan_RM @akajav @dethrone pic.twitter.com/BwKWlvmYlA
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 8, 2014
Yep.
So it's pitbull I'm eyeing now...
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) September 6, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Sept. 5-7 2014)
Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC Fight Night: Sydney
Jimi Manuwa vs. Mauricio Rua at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa
Stephan Bonnar vs. Tito Ortiz at Bellator 131
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via MMAtylander.
On September 28, 2001, Dave "The Warrior" Menne began the first night of his reign as the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship Middleweight Champion of the World. Menne, making only his second UFC appearance, laid claim to the belt after earning a unanimous decision victory over big show rookie Gil Castillo. While his reign would only last a mere 105 days before Brazilian pioneer Murilo Bustamante would violently put an end to it in the 2nd RD of their UFC 35 title fight, Dave Menne will forever be remembered as the first MW champion to ever be crowned by a major promotion. He achieved this goal more than four years before Pride would implement their equivalent in the Pride FC Welterweight division. For over 13 years, men have bled, fought, and maimed for the chance to place their name alongside Menne's on the list of UFC Middleweight Champions.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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