Ben Askren has no intention of giving up welterweight gold in career’s final bout

Ben “Funky” Askren isn’t just the reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion, but he is also universally recognized as one of the best welterweights in the entire world.

Askren is highly regarded for his outstanding wrestling background that earned him two NCAA Division I national championship trophies and the privilege to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Growing up in the Midwestern United States, a region traditionally known as a hotbed for amateur wrestling, Askren was motivated by the spirit of competition and wanted to participate in a sport where he could be the master of his own fate.

Askren had long planned switch to mixed martial arts and conquer that sport once he hung up his wrestling boots.

Following his 2008 Olympic campaign, Askren made the transition and has flawlessly translated his exemplary grappling skills into his growing skillset.

In his eight-year run as a professional martial artist, Askren holds an immaculate standing of 17-0, 1 No Contest, owning five submission victories and five knockout triumphs.

The 33-year-old American will step into the cage for the very last time on Friday, 24 November as he defends his coveted title against former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in the main event of ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT, which takes place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

Coming off masterful performance against talented challengers such as Agilan Thani and Zebaztian Kadestam in 2017, Askren looks to cap off a momentous year and an illustrious career with one last title defense versus a tough opponent like Aoki.

“Shinya is a really good final opponent. Obviously, he is a legend of the sport, and he is a really big challenge on the ground, which is where I like to compete, personally. I am excited for this bout,” he said about his marquee match-up with Aoki.

Askren revealed that he did not think a match with Aoki was an option, considering the 34-year-old Tokyo, Japan native is an Evolve MMA teammate.

However, Askren admitted that the more he thought about it, the more he loved the idea of sharing a martial arts platform with Aoki.

“He is a grappler and has a great skill set that I respect, so I think it will be a great battle,” Askren quipped.

Known by his cage moniker “Tobikan Judan” or “The Grandmaster of Flying Submissions” due to his spectacular submission victories, Aoki is widely regarded as the most dominant lightweight in Asia for the better part of the last decade as he has had 47 professional bouts and strutted his wares in various promotions.

In addition, Aoki proudly owns black belts in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has won an astonishing 25 of his 39 matches via submission.

Even with Aoki’s accomplishments and his dynamic grappling pedigree, which vastly contrasts from the American’s approach in the cage, Askren guaranteed that he will continue to employ his signature game plan of wrestling his opponent to the ground and using an impeccable top game to finish off his opposition.

“I said from day one that I am the best in the world at what I do, and this is what I am going to do every single time. I have been saying that since I started in 2009, and I believe it more strongly than ever because I have proved it 17 times now, and I am pumped to prove it again,” he stated.

Askren maintained that he has no intentions of giving up his gold-plated strap to Aoki as he collides with the Japanese submission wizard at ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT.

“He’s going to stick around until I put him out,” the undefeated ONE Welterweight World Champion declared with confidence.

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About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship is the home of martial arts. The world’s most exciting martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 1 billion potential viewers across 128+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Bandsports, Startimes, Premier Sports, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, OSN, and more.

*This is Press Release

Davao Aguilas FC Stays on Point and Goes for a Win Against Kaya FC

Away team Davao Aguilas FC stayed focused and on point evening’s match against Kaya FC Makati, held in Makati City, as they went for a 1-3 win, in their favor.

Angel Guirado was the first one who went for the goal on the 26th minute, with a very good assist from Enzo Cheng.  An equalizer however took place on the 58th minute from Kaya FC Makati’s Alfred Osei. But Davao Aguilas went all out again and gained two more goals, courtesy of Australian Harrison Sawyer on the 65th minute, and Angel Guirado once more on the 74th minute.

Head Coach Marlon Maro says, “Happy and satisfied and I think it is because the players really wanted to win tonight.  The delivery and the process made us score a lot of goals tonight, and also the players responded well to each other.”

Angel Guirado, who was named Man of the Match says, “For me the team is more important because, the team worked good tonight.  I’m happy because I scored, but more importantly, the team has 3 points more and I’m also looking forward to our next season.  This boosts the confidence of the team.”

Davao Aguilas FC’s next matches will be on November 21 against JPV Marikina at 7p.m. and on November 25 at 4pm, to be held at Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS), against JPV Marikina as well.


For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/DAFCofficial. 

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No Time to Wait” for these Young Achievers

TechnoMarine, the luxury Swiss watch brand, embarks on a new campaign featuring young, successful personalities who have created their own opportunities and made a mark in their respective fields.

TechnoMarine’s “No Time to Wait” campaign believes these young individuals deserve acknowledgment for continuing to push themselves to higher ground and earn recognition in delivering excellence in their own careers without waiting for it to happen, and instead, make it happen through hard work, perseverance, and dedication, despite their young age.

The slogan “No Time to Wait” intends to inspire other young hopefuls to act on and work for their goals that in their own ways, can realize their dreams. Through celebrating these young achievers, TechnoMarine highlights aspiration people who created possibilities for themselves to be successful.

These young ambassadors are former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Patrick Sugui, The Voice Kids 2015 finalist Kyle Echarri, fashion designer Rosenthal Tee, and artist Andre Drilon.

23-year old Patrick Sugui is a former PBB housemate from Teen Clash 2010 edition. The hit reality show has led him to acting opportunities, helping him land roles in primetime shows like Pangako Sa’Yo and La Luna Sangre. Pat’s dream is to win an acting award someday. “I am committed to honing my craft, and right now, my focus is to improve my skills through acting workshops.”

Another young achiever is Kyle Echarri who rose to fame from placing 6th in season two of The Voice Kids Philippines 2015. The 14-year old Filipino-American singer made a name for himself after releasing his debut album titled “It’s Me, Kyle” in September last year. “This has always been my dream ever since I was a kid, so I try to give my best in everything that I do.”

Rosenthal Tee has been featured in the Mercedes Benz Stylo Spring Summer 2015 Show in Kuala Lumpur and New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2016 Show. A graduate of Fashion Design, Rosenthal has been eyeing to establish base in the country. “I’ve been saving my earnings from all the projects so that I could properly set up my business base here in the Philippines,” she said.

Completing the roster of TechnoMarine’s inspirational individuals is stylish dresser Andre Drilon. More than just the guy who wears skirts, Drilon is exploring his creative side through collaborations with different artists in the industry. “I spend a lot of time trying to conceptualize and self-analyze – think about the projects I’m doing, the ideas I want to communicate through my art,” he said.

Founded in Switzerland in 1997, TechnoMarine offers watches that celebrate individuality, freedom and success with affordable, quality and unconventional designed watches – as a symbol of achievement of people who didn’t wait for things to happen but created their own opportunity.

TechnoMarine boutiques are locatedat SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall,SM North Edsa, SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier, TriNoma, Greenbelt 3, Robinson’sGalleria, Robinson’s Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, and all MyDiamond boutiques nationwide.