Former Bellator Welterweight Titlist Ben Askren Joins One Fighting Championship

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Ben Askren’s rumored move to the Singapore-based One Fighting Championship has come to fruition.

“Excited to have signed with and be fighting for the largest MMA organization in Asia,” Askren wrote on his Twitter account Monday.

One FC has held 13 events since its inception on Sept. 13, 2011. According to onefc.com , the organization has 17 welterweight fighters on its roster. In an interview on The MMA Hour on Monday, Askren said his One FC deal is for two years and six fights and that he expects to make his debut in March or April.

A former two-time NCAA national champion wrestler at the University of Missouri, Askren is 12-0 as a professional, including nine appearances with Bellator. “Funky” became the promotion’s 170-pound champion with a five-round verdict over Lyman Good at Bellator 33. Askren successful defended his title five times, most recently stopping Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 97 in July.

Askren was officially released by Bellator in November. However, UFC President Dana White recently told MMAJunkie.com that the UFC had no interest in signing the Roufusport standout, clearing the way for Askren to take his talents to Asia.