Ben Askren retires from MMA

UFC welterweight Ben Askren announced on Monday's "Ariel Helwani's MMA Show" that he has retired from MMA.

"I'm retiring from the sport of MMA," Askren said. "Frankly, I'm retiring from everything."

Askren (19-2, NC) went 1-2 in the Octagon after signing with the UFC late last year in a trade involving former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Most recently, "Funky" was submitted by Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Askren revealed Monday that he'll need a hip replacement as a result of injuries he's accrued.

The Wisconsin native was a decorated college wrestler with Missouri and qualified for the 2008 Olympics for Team USA. A two-time NCAA wrestling champion, he finished that chapter of his career with a 153-8 record.

Askren transitioned to MMA in 2009 and signed with Bellator in April 2010 after just three professional fights. He captured the promotion's welterweight title in October 2010, defeating former champion Lyman Good in the tournament finals. Askren went on to defend his championship four times, including victories over current 170-pound champion Douglas Lima and former titleholder Andrey Koreshkov.

After amassing a 12-0 record, Askren signed with ONE Championship. He earned the promotion's welterweight championship in August 2014, defeating Nobutatsu Suzuki via TKO. Askren competed seven times under the ONE Championship banner. Following a quick victory over submission ace Shinya Aoki in November 2017, Askren announced his first retirement.

The 35-year-old came out of retirement this year and earned his lone UFC victory - a controversial win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 in which some felt the referee stepped in too early. Askren walks away from the sport with 19 career victories, including 12 by stoppage.