By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Ben Askren made his much-anticipated UFC debut on Saturday night at UFC 235. He made Robbie Lawler tap out in the first round at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Askren — who was acquired in the first-ever blockbuster deal between the UFC and One Championship — made the fight end at 3:20 in the round. He used a technical submission (bulldog choke) to win the bout.
The 34-year-old was acquired in the trade for “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson. Askren is now 19-0-1 in his MMA career.
This is his sixth submission win of his career. He also has six wins by knockout and seven wins by decision.
This was Askren’s first submission win since using a arm-triangle choke submission to defeat Agilan Thani at One Championship’s Dynasty of Heroes event. However, this is the first-time in Akren’s 19 bouts that he has ever used a bulldog choke to win the bout.
The 36-year-old Granite City, Illinois native fell to 28-13-1 in his MMA career. His is the sixth submission loss in his career.
His other seven losses have come by five decision losses and two knockouts.
Lawler has lost two straight bouts. He also was defeated by unanimous decision to Rafael dos Santos at UFC on FOX 26 on Dec. 16, 2017.
The last-time was Lawler’s first submission loss since Jan. 29, 2011. He was submitted via a rear-naked choke by Ronaldo Souza at Strikeforce – Diaz vs. Cyborg.
