Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ben Askren’s Net Worth?
Ben Askren, a retired professional mixed martial artist and wrestler, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $1 million as of 2025. This financial standing reflects his achievements in both wrestling and MMA, including championship titles and various fight purses. His income is primarily derived from fight earnings, sponsorships, and wrestling accolades.
Early Life and Amateur Wrestling Career
Born on July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ben Askren’s journey to professional sports began with wrestling at a young age. He honed his skills at Arrowhead High School in Wisconsin, where he became a two-time WIAA state champion, demonstrating early promise in the sport. His success wasn’t limited to state level; he also achieved recognition in national tournaments across folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling disciplines.
Askren’s collegiate career at the University of Missouri significantly bolstered his reputation. As a freshman, he secured a gold medal at the Big 12 Championships and finished second in the NCAA Division I Championships, marking a strong start to his college wrestling journey. He continued to excel, consistently placing high in major competitions. His junior and senior years were particularly remarkable; he clinched gold in both the Big 12 and NCAA Championships in each of those years. These achievements earned him the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy for both seasons, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant collegiate wrestlers. By the time he graduated from Missouri, Askren had amassed an impressive 153-8 record, a testament to his dedication and skill.
In April 2007, Askren continued to build his wrestling credentials by becoming the US national champion. The following year, he represented the United States at the Summer Olympics, advancing to the quarterfinals. His participation in events like the Agon Wrestling Championships and the Flo Premier League further enriched his wrestling background, adding to his accomplishments before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
MMA Career: Bellator, ONE Championship, and UFC
Askren transitioned to mixed martial arts in early 2009, marking his debut at Headhunter Productions: The Patriot Act in Columbia, Missouri. He secured a first-round TKO victory against Josh Flowers, signaling a promising start to his MMA career. He followed this with another win against Mitchell Harris at Headhunter Productions: The Patriot Act 2, further establishing his presence in the MMA scene.
His career gained momentum as he entered Bellator, where he defeated Ryan Thomas at Bellator 14 and again at Bellator 19. A significant milestone was reached at Bellator 22 when he beat Dan Hornbuckle to become the Bellator Season Two Welterweight Tournament Champion. This victory led to a title fight at Bellator 33, where Askren defeated Lyman Good to claim the Bellator Welterweight World Champion title. He successfully defended his title multiple times, showcasing his dominance in the division with wins against notable opponents such as Jay Hieron, Douglas Lima, Karl Amoussou, and Andrey Koreshkov. Despite his successful title defenses, Askren was released from Bellator after his victory over Koreshkov, making him a free agent.
In late 2013, Askren signed a two-year contract with ONE Championship, expanding his career onto the international stage. He quickly made an impact, winning his first fight with the promotion by submitting Bakhtiyar Abbasov in the first round. This was followed by a victory over Nobutatsu Suzuki, earning him the ONE Welterweight Champion title. Askren defended his title against Luis Santos in the spring of 2015; however, an accidental eye poke resulted in a no contest. He continued to compete in ONE Championship, defeating Nikolay Aleksakhin in a non-title bout a year later. In 2017, he defended his ONE Welterweight Championship with wins over Agilan Thani, Zebaztian Kadestam, and Shinya Aoki. Following his win over Aoki, Askren initially retired from MMA but later returned when he signed with the UFC in late 2018.
Askren made his UFC debut at UFC 235 in 2019, where he controversially defeated Robbie Lawler. However, his undefeated streak was abruptly ended at UFC 239 when Jorge Masvidal knocked him out with the fastest knockout in UFC history, a five-second flying knee. This loss was followed by a second consecutive defeat to Demian Maia a few months later. Consequently, Askren announced his retirement from MMA, concluding his professional fighting career.
Boxing Match Against Jake Paul
After retiring from MMA, Askren ventured into the boxing ring for a match against YouTube personality Jake Paul on April 17, 2021. Despite the outcome of the fight, Askren was guaranteed a minimum of $500,000 simply for participating. With potential pay-per-view bonuses and other revenue streams, his total earnings from the fight could have reached the low $1 million range. This event added a notable sum to his net worth and demonstrated his willingness to explore opportunities outside of traditional MMA.
Analysis of Ben Askren Net Worth
Ben Askren’s estimated $1 million net worth primarily stems from his professional fighting career, encompassing earnings from Bellator, ONE Championship, and the UFC. His guaranteed purse of $500,000 for the boxing match against Jake Paul, with the potential to earn up to $1 million with bonuses, also significantly contributed to his overall financial status. Sponsorships and endorsements from various brands have likely added to his income, although specific details about these partnerships are not publicly available. Furthermore, Askren’s accomplishments in wrestling, including his collegiate titles and Olympic participation, have enhanced his marketability and potentially opened doors for additional revenue streams.
Given that Askren has retired from active competition, future increases to his net worth will likely rely on alternative ventures such as commentating, coaching, or business investments. While specific details regarding Askren’s investments or business holdings are not publicly available, his continued involvement in the combat sports community may provide further financial opportunities. Over time, strategic investments and entrepreneurial activities could contribute to the growth of his net worth.
