‘Funky’ Ben Askren will be front and center in the combat sports universe tonight when he takes on YouTuber Jake Paul for the biggest payday of his career. Sure, there are legitimate fights happening over on ESPN inside the UFC APEX, but Whittaker vs. Gastelum is expected to draw far less viewers and attention than the circus Triller has on offer.
Askren goes into his boxing match with Paul with an 0-0 record and a reputation for not being the most deadly striker the MMA world has ever seen. The standout wrestler and former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion is the underdog against Paul, who is bigger and younger and has 2 pro boxing wins under his belt, albeit to complete novices.