Even though he has been out of mixed martial arts for a while, Askren showed that he is still quite skilled when he submitted an Australian rules celebrity in a lighthearted wrestling match.
Askren, 39, who previously held titles in Bellator and the ONE Championship, visited with the Hawthorn Football Club earlier this month as the AFL team got ready for the 2024 campaign.
The other Hawthorn stars laughed as midfielder Jai Newcombe, who had decided to test himself against the former national champion in freestyle wrestling, engaged him in a lighthearted brawl.
Askren used a foot sweep to momentarily take Newcombe to the mat, but the 22-year-old climbed back up.
The former mixed martial arts fighter lifted Newcombe off the ground and drove him to the mat after managing to lock onto one leg. Askren moved from side control to an armbar, but Newcombe gave in and tapped.
Askren’s wrestling display impressed the crowd, especially since the 39-year-old recently had hip replacement surgery.
Askren was an unbeaten fighter with a record of 19 victories and 0 losses before joining the UFC. In ten of those victories, there were title bouts.
But the most memorable part of his career is his vicious knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal, which happened in the fastest five-second knockout in UFC history.
Askren was brutally knocked out in the first round of his fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, following his departure from the MMA maelstrom.
