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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"I don't know that I ever wanted that role, but it's just what I fell into. I think people that don't like [UFC President] Dana White, when they talk about all the things that he's done wrong over the last five years, I'm the easiest one to point to. I was 12-0, Olympian, ranked top 10 in the world, and he makes all these stupid reasons why he can't sign me, when the fact was he chose not to... There's not really anything else [White] can do to me, so I can say whatever I want. I have UFC fighters text me all the time with either ideas for something to say, or saying, 'Thanks for speaking up.' ... It's good to know it's appreciated. It's, frankly, just the right thing to do."
-Ben Askren talks to MMAJunkie.com about being outside of the UFC and free to be outspoken against the organization.
Penick's Analysis: The UFC's decision not to sign Askren - and the asinine reasoning behind it from White - remains a ridiculous and unfortunate misstep. Askren's content to make the money he's making in Asia right now for ONE Championship, and it seems possible if not likely that he never fights in the UFC. He's a much better fighter than White and the UFC ever gave him credit for being, and his absence from the welterweight roster means they're lacking one of the top competitors in the division. Still, he's clearly alright with his current station in the sport, even as he's not been afforded the opportunity to prove himself as the best. At this point, as a prize fighter, the bigger prize for him is money for now, and he's making enough to keep him happy while still having the upper hand in commenting with and against the UFC.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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