A story recently surfaced stating that Askren had turned down an opportunity to fight in the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix, which is something the fighter denied via Twitter:
Well this is about a half truth from @ScottCoker I wanted to fight Rory. He said no. Simple https://t.co/1LfsUnlLmU
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 9, 2018
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker, who was part of the story Askren responded to, would issue the following statement on twitter, which set off the spat between the two:
I know you’re used to people not responding to you, but the truth is you & your team were only interested in a one-fight deal & when we asked Bob Cook if you would fight in the Welterweight Grand Prix on a three fight deal - you didn’t want to do it. https://t.co/lwi08ZCfxA
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 10, 2018
Scott so what about my tweet was false?? https://t.co/TW9wvUeEuK
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 10, 2018
We would have given you @rory_macdonald to start the grand prix & you didn't want to do it.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 10, 2018
Which is fine, I just want to make sure the facts are straight, don't spin it like Rory & I were ducking you. You chose not to enter the tournament. https://t.co/9dCvZhdtBZ
I think you are pushing alternative facts here. I can go back and look through old messages/emails, but this sure isn’t the way I recall it. You and I both know Rory vs me looks very similar to Rory vs Gerard. https://t.co/Mb81gjArwA
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 10, 2018
UFC 233 takes place on Saturday, January 26 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California with Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
