Ben Askren Net Worth, Age, Height, Wealth (Updated 2022)

Ben Askren (full name Benjamin Michael Askren) is an American athlete and former Mixed Martial Art Champion who has a net worth of $10 million in 2023. He was the undefeated champion of the Ultimate Fight Championship (UFC) for over twelve years. He was also a two-time Big 12 Conference Champion and one of the top wrestlers to secure several Dan Hodge Trophies.

How Did Ben Askren Become Rich?

Ben Askren is reported to be inclined towards wrestling from a very early age; he was introduced to it when he was only six years old. He won the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) championship in his sixth grade. Likewise, he won the same WIAA championship twice during high school.

His passion for athleticism was sustained when he went on to college. In both his freshman and sophomore period, he stood number one and unbeaten at the famous championships like the 2 Big Conference and the NCAA Division Men’s Basketball Tournament. Till graduation, he had championed both freestyle and folkstyle wrestling. Thus, his athletic skills were known to everyone and he was popular for it among his peers. Of course, these athletic activities were not something he did as a professional, rather these were only a part of his co-curricular activities.

Askren pursued his career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in early 2009 and fought frequent wrestling. The most famous among his flights – which brought him to the spotlight – was his defeat from Ivan Fundora in 2010. The fight was a thrilling semifinal between him and the archrival in the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba. This was immediately followed by his record-breaking defeat of the 2009 Silver Medalist Jake Herbert at the Midland Folkstyle Tournament.

Askren, despite witnessing many defeats, has been a staunch grappling athlete. He knocked down Toni Linden in his first match at the 2009 ADCC Submission World Championship. However, he was later defeated by Pablo Popovitch who won the ADCC trophy that year. He later competed at the United World Grappling Championship in the same year where he outwrestled the 2008 champion Jacob Volkman and won the gold accolade of the tournament.

It is obvious that Askren is an athlete who has witnessed both defeat and victory in his career. But what makes him stand out among his fellow athletes is his athletic trick of Arm Triangle Choke in grappling. In this trick as the name suggests, Askren artistically strangles the opponent in between his own shoulder while grabbing him through his arms. This aggressive trick has enabled him to win several championships and trophies.

What Is Ben Askren Net Worth?

Askren has a net worth of $10,000,000 as of the latest report of March, 2023. The MMA fighter has won 19 out of 22 matches throughout his career. These victories have got him several silver and gold accolades that have ultimately added up to his net worth. Three of his famous gold medals that had an immense impact both on his fame and net worth include the 2005 Pan American Championship, the 2008 United States National Championship, and the most popular 2009 World Championship.

These gold medals made him popular throughout the United States and abroad among wrestling fans. He received his career highest-earning $353,000 only for showing up at the March 2019 UFC 235 Tournament. He also received a fair share of the Pay Per View (PPV) Bonus of the match. In the following match against Demian Maia, he earned $263,000 despite losing the contest. Likewise, he earned $213,500 at the UFC 239, 2019 where he fought against Jorge Masvidal. These were the days when he was at the apex of his career and his net worth was growing rapidly.

Later in 2019, when he retired from MMA he was frequently challenged by the famous YouTube Personality Jake Paul to show up for a boxing match. It is assumed that he was offered $500,000 and a Pay Per View Bonus (the match generated 1,45 million buys) to only show up to face Jake Paul. The social media had gone crazy to spectate Askren and Jake in a boxing match. Askren did show up for the match. But unfortunately, he was knocked down in roughly two minutes. It is still unknown if the ‘offer’ which he was asked for was provided to him or not. If provided, the net worth of Askren would have been at least $11 million today.

How Ben Askren Spends His Money?

Ben Askren lives in his mansion in Wisconsin along with his wife Amy Askren whom he married more than 10 years ago. The ‘fighting couple’ has two daughters and a son who are often seen in his social media posts drifting with their parents in the orange Lamborghini.

He has designed a Golf Disc course, which is famously known as the Funky Farm, in his backyard. “It was my passion to buy a bunch of property and have a Golf Disc course,” he recalls as he sits with ESPN MMA for an interview. “It was challenging indeed,” he continues “I had to buy a vast space of property with all the requirements in it, and water being the foremost among them.”. Apart from his athletic appetite, he is a keen fond of traveling, cars, and tattoos.

Interesting Facts

• BEn Askren had announced that he has successfully got hip surgery and will be returning to freestyle wrestling soon. He did show up for a boxing match against Jake Paul on April 17, 2021.
• Snoop Dog – the famous rapper – had offered a bet of $2 million on Jake Paul winning the fight in response to Dana White’s bet of $1 million on Jake Paul losing to Askren.
• His nickname is Funky.
• Apart from the professional folkstyle and freestyle wrestling and other several sports, Askren is also a stern Disc Golf competitor.
• He had a wrestling training facility in his house from his childhood which was financially backed by his father.
• The 5-time World Champion Paul McBeth is one of his close friends.