The Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight division experienced a major shakeup last weekend with Kamaru Usman’s emphatic win over Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title, as well as Ben Askren’s debut win over former champion Robbie Lawler.
Woodley had ruled the division for close to three years since he knocked out Lawler back at UFC 201 in July 2016. Woodley’s team mate and friend, Askren, immediately catapulted himself into title contention with his controversial submission victory over Lawler. Askren said during an appearance on “The MMA Hour” that if he were to be offered a title shot, he wouldn’t accept it without “The Chosen One’s” blessing (via MMA Fighting):
“I thought Colby and ‘Marty’ was announced [Saturday] night,” Askren said, calling Usman by his old nickname.