Ben Askren, the former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the wrestling ring on July 18th, facing off against ex-UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at RAF 11 in Milwaukee. But the real intrigue lies in Askren's prediction for the main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington, which he sees as a 'coin flip'.
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Askren expressed his thoughts on the upcoming bout, acknowledging the physical disparity between the two fighters. "Colby’s clearly the larger person," he said. "I don’t know. I’m very split on it. I think it’s kind of a coin flip."
Askren's prediction is based on his assessment of the competitive nature of the match. He highlights the close matches Arman Tsarukyan has had against college wrestler Georgio Poullas and the recent victory of Covington over Chris Weidman, suggesting that the outcome could go either way.
This isn't the first time Askren has made waves in the wrestling world. The 41-year-old had to overcome a serious health scare last year, undergoing an emergency double lung transplant after being hospitalized due to severe pneumonia caused by a staph infection. His recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, allowing him to return to the sport he loves.
The upcoming RAF 11 event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with Askren's return and the highly anticipated main event between Tsarukyan and Covington. As Askren himself suggests, the outcome of this 'coin flip' match could have significant implications for the future of both fighters in the UFC and the wrestling world.
What makes this prediction particularly fascinating is the contrast between the two fighters' styles and records. While Tsarukyan has been on a winning streak with five consecutive victories, Covington has also been dominant, going 3-0 in his recent matches. The question remains: who will come out on top in this highly anticipated bout?
In my opinion, Askren's prediction highlights the unpredictability and excitement of the MMA world. The 'coin flip' analogy is a fitting description of the competitive nature of these athletes, where a single mistake or a moment of brilliance can make all the difference. As fans, we can only wait with bated breath to see who emerges victorious in this thrilling showdown.
