Today:
MYTH: Askren´s undefeated record.
Indeed, I have to question one particular fight:
BEN ASKREN vs JAY HIERON.
Happened @ Bellator 56 [29/10/2011], for the Bellator WW Belt [Askren´s 1st defence]
Context:
Hieron has a wrestling background, but progressively became more of a striker.
Solid boxing, decent jab/combos.
Good Sprawls.
Hieron was 35 yrs old, realistically past his physical prime... He would retire 15 months later.
Was his 27th fight, while it was Askren´s 9th fight (27 yrs old)
Round 1:
> Toughest Round to score.
> All Askren´s TDs were stuffed, Hieron showcasin´some good sprawls...
> Askren was even actually countered & taken down after 1 TD attempt, & Hieron controlled him on the ground.
Ground Controle = 30s. [4m20>3mn50]
> Hieron had more efficient striking on the feet, cleaner striking, good use of the jab, good combos.
> Askren´s striking was rather primitive, even 'unprofessional' at times, as he would punch
and then lazily turn his back...
He still had a couple of punches & 1 knee off the clinch, as efficient strikes.
10-9 Hieron.
Round 2:
> Askren got the early TD. Good Ground Control, but bureaucratic Ground Game:
lack of good transitions, no real submission attempts, limited damage during the GNP,
some good knees.
Ground Control = 4mn25
10-9 Askren.
Round 3:
> Hieron outboxin´ & pickin´ him apart, good leg kicks too.
> Askren only scored a slap on the feet.
> Askren only had 1 TD attempt, easily stuffed.
> Then Askren got the body lock, and scored a good TD, @ 2mn50
Ground Control = 1mn05. [2m50>1mn45]
> But no legit damage done during the GNP.
> Askren showcased limited transitions again, hardly in position to pass guard.
> Askren got reversed.
> Askren scored a right hand off the clinch while getting up.
> Last 90 sec: Hieron scored 1 leg kick, Askren 1 body kick.
Overall, Hieron slightly outboxin´him, with more effective strikes.
10-9 Hieron.
Round 4:
> Hieron outboxing him in the 1st 30 sec.
> Askren got the TD, got his back & started to GNP, mostly with good knees to the body.
Ground Control = 2mn39 [4mn22>1mn43]
> @ 1mn43, Hieron rolled & escaped.
> Last 100 sec: Hieron completely outboxed him, with jabs and countering with right hook.
> Last 15 sec: Hieron suffered an eye poke.
10-9 Askren.
Round 5:
> Askren got no TDs.
> Hieron completely outboxed him. Scored with some leg kicks too.
> Hieron even dropped him with a spinning shit kick.
> Hieron began tauntin´& kickin´ him.
10-9 Hieron.
VERDICT:
> Jimmy Smith had it 48-47 Hieron.
> 2 Judges had it 48-47 Askren, while the 3rd one had it 48-47 Hieron.
> IMO it was a 48-47 Hieron.
