Ben Askren to Defend One FC Welterweight Title Against Luis ‘Sapo’ Santos in April

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Ben Askren is set to defend his One Fighting Championship welterweight belt against Luis Santos at an as-yet-unannounced event in April.

Sources close to the bout confirmed the news to Sherdog.com on Monday. The card will take place in Manila, Philippines, although the date has yet to be officially announced.

Askren, 30, has competed twice for One FC since departing Bellator MMA. “Funky” defeated Bakhtiyar Abbasov via arm-triangle choke at One FC 16 “Honor and Glory” before finishing Nobutatsu Suzuki at One FC 19 “Reign of Champions” and laying claim to the title. The Roufusport standout has yet to taste defeat in his mixed martial arts career.

Santos, 35, has 71 professional fights under his belt since 2000. Also a Bellator veteran, “Sapo” lost consecutively to Ben Saunders and Ryan Ford before going on a seven-fight tear -- winning six via first-round finish -- and earning his shot against Askren. Most recently, Santos defeated Abbasov in his One FC debut.