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[autotag]Ben Askren[/autotag] called it a career on Monday, announcing his retirement from MMA after 22 career bouts.
Although Askren (19-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) didn’t reach the pinnacle under the UFC banner, he won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship and made a name for himself in the sport on a level few others have reached.
Askren was often a polarizing figure, but after revealing he was done with the sport, many within the MMA community expressed positive opinions about him. Check below to the see top Twitter reactions to Askren’s retirement.
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#UFC welterweight Ben Askren announces retirement, cites hip replacement surgery as determining factor https://t.co/ttxdiHuUNr
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 18, 2019
Can't say I'm surprised by Ben Askren's retirement. He didn't have a great run the UFC, but it's amazing how much buzz he generated in less than one year. Regardless, great career, one of the very few who was able to make a big name fighting outside the UFC.
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) November 18, 2019
"I'm retired from the sport of mixed martial arts and frankly, I'm retired from everything."@Benaskren cites needing a hip replacement as a factor in his retirement (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/OZLG2ZDTBj
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 18, 2019
Congratulations to the man who got me into MMA on a hell of a career. Cheers to you @Benaskren ! Thanks for guiding me in the right direction as a wrestling coach, my influencer into fighting, and always giving me business advice. All the best in your next venture. #ufc #funkyben
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) November 19, 2019
Askren: I’ve never brought these hip issues up. I don’t want people to think that was the reason I lost. I lost because I wasn’t good enough. My opponents were better. I don’t want these to be viewed as excuses. #HelwaniShow
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) November 18, 2019
Congrats on a great career @Benaskren you did it the right way. Get that hip fixed and enjoy the next chapters in your life. #inspiration #therightway #realone
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) November 18, 2019
Askren tells @arielhelwani that he didn't lose because of his hip, he lost because he wasn't good enough to beat Masvidal and Maia.
Askren says he's learned great lessons from not winning an Olympic gold medal or a UFC championship that he will apply to the rest of his life.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 18, 2019
Askren: "Legacy doesn't matter, Equity does" #HelwaniShow @arielhelwani
— Raging A1 forgery (@IAQUINTAREALTY) November 18, 2019
Hip replacement is a good reason to retire from professional fighting. https://t.co/LK9oFT1bwL
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) November 18, 2019
Congratulations to @Benaskren on an amazing career. You had us on the edge of our seats. Thank you for all the wonderful entertainment and setting a great example on how to conduct oneself.
Don't go too far, though. The sport wants and needs more Funky.
— Ant Evans (@AntEvansMMA) November 18, 2019
Ben Askren's Twitter followers one week before "the trade": 64,000 (approximately)
Ben Askren's Twitter followers today: 290,000 (approximately)
Askren has made quite the name for himself in one year.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 18, 2019
Congrats on a great career, @Benaskren
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) November 18, 2019
Congrats on a great career, @Benaskren. Glad we got to see him in the UFC, even if it was late. Sure made 2019 a lot of fun. https://t.co/E0c1H3P3Pg
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 18, 2019
http://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1196530179801260032
you talked the talk and you always made the walk wish you well on your retirement @Benaskren our paths will cross soon.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) November 18, 2019
Happy retirement @Benaskren 🙌🏽#respect
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) November 18, 2019
Triple Take: Was @BenAskren's UFC tenure a success or failure? (via @MikeBohnMMA, @mma_kings, @DaveDoyleMMA) https://t.co/YR9qt9P1BH
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 18, 2019
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