In a time where UFC President Dana White is having to confirm that yes, Conor McGregor is actually retired right now, another UFC star is talking about coming out of retirement.

Last year, former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren officially retired from MMA, following a disappointing run in the UFC. In his announcement, Askren, 36, revealed that he had been having issues with his hip for several years and, upon consulting with doctors, it was deemed he needed a hip replacement, effectively ending his career.

Except, maybe not.

Speaking recently on his own podcast, Askren revealed that he would be willing to come out of retirement under certain circumstances.

“So here’s the deal: I would never make like full-fledge, ‘Hey, I’m gonna go fight, I’m gonna chase the title,’” Askren said. “But I love combat. I enjoy wrestling. I enjoy fighting. So yeah, if someone said, ‘Here’s some money, go fight one time. Here’s the right opponent, let’s have some fun.’ I probably would, you know?”

This is not Askren’s first retirement from MMA. In 2017, the 2008 Olympian in freestyle wrestling walked away from the sport following his last title defense in ONE Championship but returned after a trade was organized that sent him to the UFC in exchange for Demetrious Johnson. In the end, the trade was a highly successful one for the UFC and the organization would certainly be happy to have Askren keep fighting if he so wished. And while it won’t happen this year, Askren does hint that next year might be a possibility.

“I feel like I’m gonna have to do something to make sure I don’t get too heavy,” Askren said. “So I’m gonna have to compete in some way, shape, or form, might as well get paid for it. So I don’t see why not. And obviously, I’ve told you the UFC has expressed interest in giving me another fight but dude, my hip is so bad. So yeah, in a year or so.”

After arriving in the UFC, Askren made an immediate splash in the welterweight division, by submitting former champion Robbie Lawler. Things did not go as well for Askren in his next fight though, getting knocked out by Jorge Masvidal in five seconds, a UFC record. Following that, Askren was submitted by Demian Maia and then retired from the sport with an overall record of 19-2, 1 No Contest.

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Respect. Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones will never be friends but both admit mutual respect for each other.

Out. Dana White: Yair Rodriguez injured, out of Aug. 29 headliner with Zabit Magomedsharipov.

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VIDEO STEW

Contender Series Presser.

The A-Side Live Chat.

Kings stay kings.

Road to Bellator 243.

Red King Rundown from PFL.

UFC heading back to Fight Island this year.

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LISTEN UP

The Bash. Discussing Khabib vs. Gaethje and an interview with Jai Herbert.

Fights Gone By. Jack Slack discussing Derek Brunson resurgence at middleweight.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

AKA.

Free Tim Elliott.

Beef.

That’s a tough row to hoe though.

Start them early.

Anthony Johnson and Tyrone Spong sparring.

Signings.

GSP with hair is shocking.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ricky Simon (16-3) vs. Brian Kelleher (21-11); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 5.

Rodolfo Vieira (7-0) vs. Markus Perez (12-3); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 10.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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