Ben Askren is a former American mixed martial artist and elite wrestler. He is best known for his dominance in Bellator and ONE Championship. Askren built his reputation as one of the most skilled grapplers in combat sports. He remained undefeated for nearly a decade. While he never became a primary UFC star, his earlier success made him a big name. His boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021 also played a key role in boosting his earnings and public profile.As of now, Ben Askren’s net worth is around $500,000 (according to celebrity net worth). His income came mainly from MMA fights, wrestling achievements, coaching, and a high-profile boxing match. Askren retired from professional MMA in late 2019 after competing in the UFC.
Ben Askren’s net worth and career earnings
Ben Askren’s net worth reflects a career based more on titles than huge paydays. He was born on July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He started wrestling seriously in middle school. At Arrowhead High School in Wisconsin, he became a two-time state champion. He later became one of the most successful collegiate wrestlers in history at the University of Missouri.Askren won multiple Big 12 and NCAA titles. He also won the Dan Hodge Trophy twice. After college, he represented the United States in wrestling and competed in the 2008 Olympics. These achievements built his foundation but did not bring major financial rewards.Askren turned to MMA in 2009. He quickly rose through Bellator. He became the Bellator Welterweight Champion and defended the title several times. Later, he joined ONE Championship. There, he again became welterweight champion and defended his belt against top fighters. These runs earned him steady income, though MMA pay outside the UFC was limited.In 2019, Askren finally joined the UFC. He won his debut fight against Robbie Lawler. However, he then suffered two straight losses. One was a record-breaking knockout by Jorge Masvidal. After losing to Demian Maia, Askren retired from MMA.His biggest single payday came after retirement. In April 2021, Askren locked horns with YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul. He was guaranteed at least $500,000 just to appear. With pay-per-view bonuses and sponsorships, his total earnings from the fight were likely close to $1 million. Despite championships and fame, the MMA star’s overall net worth remains modest.
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