Ben Askren believes in himself.
And as a world-class wrestler who is constantly smoothing the rough edges of his MMA game, he should.
Askren is 13-0 as a professional mixed martial artist, and he's barely been touched in those 13 fights. While he is currently decimating the competition in One FC, Askren was a free agent and one of the hottest prospects in the world just six months ago.
While he ultimately did not sign with the world's premier MMA organization, the UFC, talks of how Askren would match up with the world's best inside the Octagon are as fervent as ever.
Recently, in an interview with MMAInterviews.TV, Askren talked about UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, and he made no attempt to hold back his feelings.
"I want to fight him (Hendricks). Honestly, I think I'm the No. 1 welterweight in the world," Askren said. "Johny beat me when I was 17, and he was happy as hell when I didn't sign with the UFC. I'll get my shot in due time."
The defeat to Hendricks that Askren mentioned occurred in 2002 at the Dream Team Classic wrestling tournament. According to MiddleEasy, the eligibility requirements were simply that wrestlers needed to be seniors in the high school class of 2002 who competed in their state wrestling tournament that year.
While Hendricks did indeed best Askren on that day, each man has changed since then, and Askren feels he can exact his revenge inside the steel cage "in due time."
What do you think? Would Askren have a chance against Hendricks today, or is he just fooling himself?
