Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ben Askren (blue gloves) before his fight against Jorge Masvidal (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Jorge Masvidal set a new record for the fastest knockout in UFC history with five seconds. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Ben Askren Draws Classy Response After Defending Former Rival In Front Of His Friend!

Ben Askren shows respect during a tense moment, earning praise from fans and a dignified reply from the rival fighter!

Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren has been dealing with the toughest battle of his life lately. He was fighting a severe case of pneumonia that required a double lung transplant. The 41 year old wrestling legend has been in and out of hospitals, keeping fans updated through social media about his ongoing health struggles. Despite facing such serious medical challenges, Askren recently showed the kind of class that reminds everyone why he was respected both inside and outside the octagon.

‘Funky’ has always been known for his trash talk and ability to get under opponents’ skin. But his recent gesture toward former rival Kamaru Usman tells a different story. Their beef dates back to 2019. Askren had just scored a controversial submission victory over Robbie Lawler, while Usman claimed the welterweight title by defeating Tyron Woodley on the same UFC 235 card. What started as typical pre-fight promotion escalated into a real feud that never got settled in the octagon.

Ben Askren Corrects Friend About ‘Marty’

While recovering in the hospital, Askren received a visit from an old friend who brought up some familiar territory. The friend started using the nickname “Marty from Nebraska” when referring to Kamaru Usman, something that had become a running joke in MMA circles for years. This particular nickname always got under Usman’s skin, and Askren was the one who originally popularized it during their heated exchanges back in 2019. The whole thing started when Askren kept calling Usman “Marty” instead of his preferred name, which led to backstage confrontations and security having to step in.

But instead of encouraging his friend to keep using the disrespectful nickname, Askren did something completely unexpected. He shut down the conversation immediately and told his buddy that calling Usman “Marty” wasn’t acceptable anymore.

“Had an old friend come visit me at the hospital and he brought up Marty from Nebraska and I said you can’t call him Marty anymore bc he will get pi**ed. My buddy was flabbergasted !”

Had an old friend come visit me at the hospital and he brought up Marty from Nebraska and I said you can’t call him Marty anymore bc he will get pissed. My buddy was flabbergasted !
— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) August 2, 2025

Askren could have easily laughed along with his friend and kept the old beef alive. Instead, he chose to show respect for his former rival, even when Usman wasn’t around to hear it.

Kamaru Usman’s Classy Response Ends The Feud For Good

It didn’t take long for Usman to hear about what Askren had said. The former welterweight champion chose to respond with genuine class and concern for his former rival’s health situation.

“Happy you’re doing well my man. One day at a time you’ll be back”

🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/2W27QwKdIB
— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) August 2, 2025

That simple message carried a lot of weight, especially considering how heated their relationship had been in the past. Usman didn’t need to acknowledge Askren’s gesture or show any kindness during such a difficult time. The fact that he took the time to reach out and offer encouragement speaks volumes about both fighters’ character growth over the years. Askren responded with three praying hands emojis, officially putting an end to a six-year-old feud that never got resolved inside the octagon!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Ben Askren

Kamaru Usman

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!