MILWAUKEE – Newly minted UFC welterweight Ben Askren is booked to face ex-champ Robbie Lawler in his octagon debut. But the former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder said he tried to hustle his way into a headliner against Kamaru Usman or Colby Covington to save UFC 233 in the process. “I volunteered to fight Colby, I volunteered to fight Usman, and they’re so scared,” Askren told reporters backstage at UFC on FOX 31, where he served as a guest fighter. Related Bellator boss Scott Coker, Ben Askren clash on Twitter over past dealings Daily Debate results: Do you like Robbie Lawler as Ben Askren's first UFC fight? Ben Askren credits 'the people' for UFC opportunity; Dana White says 'trade' idea was his UFC 233 recently was canceled – or postponed, depending on your purview – when the promotion was unable to secure a suitable headliner. Askren (18-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), now officially booked to face Lawler (28-12 MMA, 13-6 UFC) at UFC 235 in March, accused Usman (13-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) of ducking him.
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Ben Askren: Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman ‘so scared,’ they turned me down for UFC 233 – MMA Junkie