Given the tenuous nature of retirements in mixed martial arts, it's hard to say if Ben Askren's next fight will truly be his last but if it is, the “Funky” one will close out his fighting career against a Japanese legend.
In what is billed as his retirement bout, Askren will defend his One Championship 185-pound title against former One titlist Shinya Aoki in the co-feature of the promotion's “Immortal Pursuit,” scheduled for Nov. 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. In the event's other main event, One's undefeated 115-pound queen Angela Lee will defend her title against Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi in a rematch of one of 2016's best fights.