BEN ASKREN – who fights Jake Paul this weekend – was on the wrong end of the fastest knockout in UFC history against Jorge Masvidal.
The welterweight pair fought at UFC 239 in July 2019 after a bitter build-up, but no one could have foreseen the dramatic early stoppage.
Within just five seconds, Masvidal had run across the cage and planted a flying knee on Askren, before landing two more shots on the deck.
The unprecedented finish surpassed the previous record for quickest KO held by Duane Ludwig, which was six seconds.
Askren, 39, went on to have one more fight in the UFC after his unwanted history-making defeat.
But again, it resulted in a loss to Damian Maia and afterwards the American grappler retired and underwent hip surgery.
Askren appeared content on the sidelines, coaching wrestling, until he signed to fight YouTuber Paul, who is 2-0 in his boxing career.
The pair headline this Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Paul, 24, trained with Masvidal, 36, in preparation and predicted he would top the UFC star’s finish.
Askren has been reminded about the knee in the pre-fight press conference, with Masvidal even getting a FaceTime on stage.
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The former Olympian admitted he is not bothered about the KO, but slammed his old rival for backing Paul.
Askren told James Lynch: “I think, either way, it’s bad. I mean, people aren’t digging it whatsoever.
“He just looks like a dope. He really, really, really does. I don’t know what he’s doing. I don’t get it. I think it’s annoying.
“I have no issue with the fact that I got beat by a knee, and hey, that’s part of my life. I live it. I’m not embarrassed by it.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
