Domination!! Ben Askren Dominates Shinya Aoki And Retires An 18-0 Champion

SINGAPORE — Last evening, Ben Askren defeated Shinya Aoki in the main event of ONE: Immortal Pursuit at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to rack up the eighteenth win of his career.

Askren announced earlier this year that the fight with Aoki would be his last and that he would be retiring from the sport at 33-years-old. The former Olympian looked incredibly calm all week and as he strode to the cage he soaked in the atmosphere of the 12,000 strong crowd.

Aoki, who’d been saying prior to the fight that he was scared of getting hurt in the cage against Askren, also got a great reception from the crowd and they loudly clapped his name as it was announced.

The evening was all about Askren though and the two fighters warmly acknowledged each other with a respectful touch of gloves before the bout started.

Aoki pulled guard within 25-seconds after Askren landed a right hand and the champion went to work straight away as he landed a nice shot to the side of the head. Askren then took his time, postured up and reigned down blows to the side of the head of Aoki and after just 57-seconds of round one the fight was called off.

Ben Askren went 18-0 and then confirmed he was indeed hanging up 4-oz gloves. He did however confirm that he would come out of retirement if it was a fight to prove he is the #1 in the world.

Ben Askren def. Shinya Aoki via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:57

Post Fight Interview: