COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — Colby Covington and Ben Askren traded plenty of barbs before the former ONE and Bellator champion’s Octagon debut against Robbie Lawler.
Askren ultimately defeated Lawler via first-round stoppage in a wild back-and-forth affair earlier this month at UFC 235. The fight attracted plenty of controversy, though, as referee Herb Dean drew criticism for halting the contest a little more than three minutes into the opening round when Askren had Lawler caught in a tight bulldog choke.
Believing Lawler to be unconscious, Dean called a stop to the bout via technical submission despite Lawler flashing a thumbs up sign moments earlier.