UFC Trade: Demetrious Johnson For Ben Askren Explained

What's up, fight fans! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most talked-about, and frankly, weirdest trades in recent UFC history: the Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren deal. Guys, this one had the MMA world buzzing, and for good reason. It wasn't a simple fighter swap like you see in other sports. This was a complex negotiation involving multiple parties, broken contracts, and a whole lot of strategic maneuvering. Let's break down why this seemingly lopsided trade actually happened and what it meant for everyone involved.

The Background: Johnson's Dominance and Growing Frustration

First off, let's talk about Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson. For years, he was the undisputed king of the UFC's flyweight division. Seriously, this guy was a phenom. He defended his title a record-breaking 11 times, showcasing an incredible blend of striking, grappling, and pure fight IQ. He was, by all accounts, a dominant champion who had cleaned out his division. But even with all that success, "Mighty Mouse" wasn't exactly a massive pay-per-view draw for the UFC. His fights, while technically brilliant, often didn't translate into the kind of massive buyrates the UFC brass craved, especially compared to other champions in heavier weight classes. This disparity led to growing frustration for both Johnson and the promotion. Johnson felt he wasn't being compensated or marketed appropriately for his achievements, and the UFC, looking for bigger stars, felt his reign wasn't moving the needle enough.

Compounding this was the contract situation. Johnson's UFC contract was nearing its end. Negotiations for a new deal weren't going smoothly. The UFC wanted to keep their dominant champion, but they were hesitant to offer a massive payday that might not be recouped through PPV sales. At the same time, Johnson was exploring his options. He had been with the UFC for a long time, and the idea of testing the free agency market was becoming increasingly attractive, especially with the lucrative offers reportedly coming from ONE Championship. The UFC, seeing a potential loss of a star without a significant return, started looking for a way to get something of value back, or at least to move on from a complicated contract situation. This is where things get really interesting, guys, because the UFC didn't just trade him in the traditional sense. It was more about a deal that facilitated his departure in exchange for rights to another fighter.

Enter Ben Askren: The Welterweight Wildcard

Now, let's switch gears to Ben Askren. "Funky" Ben was one of the most decorated amateur wrestlers in history, a two-time Hodge Trophy winner, and an Olympic alternate. He had a legendary undefeated professional MMA record, tearing through opponents in promotions like Bellator and ONE Championship with his suffocating wrestling and ground-and-pound. However, Askren had a notoriously difficult relationship with the UFC. He was critical of their matchmaking, their pay structure, and even Dana White himself. For years, fans clamored for him to join the UFC, but it seemed like a match that would never happen. Askren, for his part, seemed to relish the role of the outsider, the one the UFC wouldn't sign.

But then, something changed. The UFC, under new ownership (Endeavor had acquired the company in 2016), was looking to shake things up. They were always on the hunt for big names and potential stars, and Askren, despite his age (34 at the time) and his controversial history with the company, was a name that carried weight. He was an undefeated former champion in a major promotion, and his unique style and outspoken personality made him a potential draw, if they could get him under contract. The problem was, Askren was still under contract with ONE Championship. So, how do you get an undefeated, highly sought-after fighter from a rival promotion?

The Mechanics of the Trade: Not Your Average Swap

Here's where the convoluted nature of the deal comes into play. The UFC didn't directly trade Demetrious Johnson to ONE Championship for Ben Askren. That's a common misconception, guys. Instead, the UFC worked out a deal with ONE Championship that involved multiple moving parts. Essentially, the UFC granted ONE Championship the promotional rights to Demetrious Johnson when his contract was up, allowing him to sign with the Singapore-based promotion. In return, ONE Championship granted the UFC the promotional rights to Ben Askren. This wasn't a direct cash-for-cash or fighter-for-fighter trade in the typical sports sense. It was more of a negotiation to acquire the rights to a fighter who was otherwise unavailable to the UFC. ONE Championship got a huge name in Demetrious Johnson, who was a massive signing for their flyweight division, and the UFC got the rights to the undefeated Ben Askren, who they had been pursuing for years.

So, why was this the chosen route? For the UFC, it was about cutting ties with a champion who wasn't producing the desired financial results and acquiring a new, potentially exciting talent in Askren without having to go through a lengthy and potentially fruitless negotiation process with ONE Championship directly for his contract. For ONE Championship, it was a no-brainer. They secured one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time, a fighter who could immediately elevate their status and draw attention to their flyweight division. It was a win-win for both promotions, even if it meant Demetrious Johnson, a beloved champion, was no longer part of the UFC roster. It was a business move, plain and simple, driven by the unique circumstances surrounding both fighters' contracts and marketability.

The Aftermath: Mixed Fortunes

So, what happened after this historic (and bizarre) deal? Well, the fortunes of Johnson and Askren diverged significantly.

Demetrious Johnson went on to have a successful run in ONE Championship. He continued to showcase his incredible skills, winning the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix and remaining one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He seemed genuinely happy, competing in a promotion that valued him and offered him a lucrative deal. His departure from the UFC, while a loss for the promotion, clearly allowed him to thrive on a different stage. He proved that his talent was undeniable, regardless of the organization he fought for.

Ben Askren, on the other hand, had a much shorter and ultimately disappointing UFC career. He made a splash in his debut, famously knocking out Robbie Lawler in a controversial TKO finish. However, that initial excitement quickly faded. Askren was then brutally knocked out in just 5 seconds by Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in what became one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history. Following that devastating loss, and a subsequent shoulder injury, Askren decided to retire from professional MMA. His UFC tenure was brief, marked by a lot of hype but ultimately failing to live up to the expectations many had for him within the promotion. The move that was supposed to propel him to superstardom in the UFC ended up being a quick and painful chapter.

In essence, the trade was a strategic move born out of contract disputes, differing market values, and the pursuit of new talent. Demetrious Johnson found continued success and happiness elsewhere, while Ben Askren's UFC dream was short-lived. It remains a fascinating case study in how the business side of MMA can sometimes dictate the fate of even the most talented athletes, guys. It’s a wild world, the fight game!