Ben Askren says UFC president Dana White didn’t offer any resistance in allowing him an exception in his contract to fight Jake Paul in a boxing match. Askren, a former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder who retired in early 2020 after going 1-2 in the UFC, is coming back to combat sports this year to fight YouTube star Paul in an eight-round boxing match on April 17. It’s something Askren is excited to do, he said, because it’s going to provide a seven-figure payday, force him to get back into shape following a hip replacement surgery and, most importantly, give him a chance to silence Paul, who argues is not a “real fighter.” Before signing on, Askren, who remains under UFC contract, had to receive permission from the organization.
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Ben Askren details ‘cordial’ Dana White granting permission for Jake Paul boxing match – MMA Junkie