ONE Welterweight Champion Ben Askren has shared his thoughts towards his next opponent.
On Sept. 2, at ONE Championship: Shanghai, Askren will defend his championship against Zebaztian Kadestam.
“He is tough and he is durable, and that showed in the match with (Luis) Santos,” Askren told ONE Championship. “He took some hard shots, but stayed in there and kept competing. Then, he was able to land the really big knee in the third round, which ended up finishing the match.”
Askren then talked about what he will have to do in order to retain his title.
“I cannot get lackadaisical on him, and I cannot stop putting the pressure on, because obviously, he is really tough,” Askren said.
“He is big, he is strong, and he hits hard with both hands and knees. He is tough, he is durable, and he is going to stay in the match. He is not going to do something stupid and give it up easy and early. He is going to stick around until I put him out.
“I am really effective at what I do. I never made a secret of it, and I always played to my strengths, and that is something a lot of people get away from. They do not play to their strengths, and I always play to my strengths, and I have been very focused and determined on what I do. So far, it has worked out well.”
Askren is currently undefeated with 16 wins. Prior to winning the ONE Welterweight Championship, he was the Bellator welterweight champion. In his career, Askren has won eight title fights in Bellator and ONE.
