The MMA community reacted last month when Ben Askren joined the UFC following a "trade" involving flyweight great Demetrious Johnson, the UFC and Askren's former promotion, the Singapore-based ONE Championship. Though Askren enjoyed lengthy title reigns in Bellator as well as ONE, he has yet to set foot in the UFC Octagon.
A 2008 Olympic wrestler, the 34-year-old Askren sports a pro MMA record of 18-0-1. He'll have a chance to affirm or reject plenty of perceptions Jan. 26 at UFC 233, when he makes his UFC debut against former welterweight champ Robbie Lawler.