Fans of Demetrious Johnson and Ben Askren may soon be seeing their favorite fighters square up for different promotions. Johnson, who currently fights for the UFC, would join ONE FC, while Askren would move from ONE FC to the UFC.
ESPN has reported that both organizations have spoken at length about such a deal, though nothing has been finalized yet.
The fighter exchange would be an unconventional “trade,” with both fighters being released from their contracts with their respective organizations. They would then be free to sign with a new promotion.
Both fighters have proven to be dominant forces in their respective organizations, with Johnson only recently breaking his record-setting streak of eleven title defenses after a split-decision loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227. Askren hasn’t lost any of his nineteen professional MMA fights, but has never had his mettle tested in the UFC. This, of course, appears like it will soon change.
The Jiu-Jitsu Times will provide updates on this story as they become available.
