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'I'm not destitute': Ben Askren responds to 'rigged' allegations

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Ben Askren (pictured left) getting knocked out by Jake Paul (pictured right).
Ben Askren has denied his loss to Jake Paul (pictured right) was not 'rigged'. (Images: Twitter/Getty Images)

Former MMA fighter Ben Askren has responded to accusations his loss to YouTuber Jake Paul was 'rigged' after his knockout.

The controversial bout between the outspoken YouTuber and the retired MMA star ended in shock as Askren was knocked out in the 1st round.

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Many fans were left fuming when Askren wasn't given a chance to fight after the knockdown after he got back to his feet and answered the referee's 10 count.

But the ref controversially waved the fight off as Askren appeared staggered.

However, many have now accused Askren of going down easily after footage emerged of the former MMA fighter laughing and in good spirits with his wife and team only moments after the KO.

UFC No.1 welterweight contender Colby Covington led the outrage.

Paul also tweeted having a go at anyone that thought it was rigged.

Askren denies 'rigged' fight against Paul

But three days later, Askren has denied the accusations and said he had nothing to gain for throwing the bout.

"I guess the question I have for people is what do I gain from it? I told you guys what I made for this fight, it was a very nice pay cheque but I'm also not destitute and poor, so what do I gain by that? The answer is nothing," he told ESPN.

"I think in fact I would lose a lot and it's not something that would ever cross my mind.

Jake Paul knocks down Ben Askren in their cruiserweight bout during Triller Fight Club.
Jake Paul and Ben Askren face off in their cruiserweight bout during Triller Fight Club at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for Triller) (Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images)

"I said if they guy's a good boxer then I'm going to lose. There was a fear he had around me and there was a feeling that maybe he wasn't very good.

"In the locker room I was pretty confident I was going to win but... the result afterwards is irrelevant to me, my life is going to be the same either way."

Askren was reported to have taken home nearly $US500,000 for the bout, which lasted less than one round.

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