MMA News: Ben Askren Stands By His Critical Comments of CM Punk [VIDEO]

Reigning ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren recently joined Submission Radio this week to discuss several topics in his career including the persistent rumours of his transfer to the Ultimate Fighting Champion, or UFC, his bus ride with UFC promoter Joe Silva, and his perception of new teammate and former WWE talent CM Punk.

The number five ranked welterweight fighter of Fight Magazine said that despite the recent development of CM Punk joining his Roufusport training stable, he has not changed his stance on the critical comments he unleashed once it was announced that the former professional wrestler is taking up mixed martial arts. Back in December, the 30-year-old native of Hartland, Wisconsin described the UFC’s acquisition of Punk as strange but added that it could be a blessing in disguise. He stands by those comments but added that his teammate has been gifted the opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong.

"Well those were my honest thoughts about it, and I think those thoughts don't really change; and that's not really a criticism of CM Punk, that was a criticism of the UFC and what they're doing. That being said, CM Punk he had a great opportunity to do something that he wanted to do and it worked out really well for him, and now he gets to compete at something he wants to do,” Askren told Submission radio in his latest interview.

The undefeated former Bellator talent returns to the mixed martial arts scene when he faces competitor Luis Santos in a pay-per-view event that will be held on Apr. 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Askren has tried to cross over to the UFC but was blocked by UFC President Dana White who was not too impressed by his credentials and told him to try to add on his credentials in a different stable.

In the same interview, he recounted a bus ride with UFC matchmaker Silva who he coincidentally shared a bus ride recently. He clarified that no business talks were made during the encounter and there is no truth to speculation that he will be transferring soon despite his appearance during UFC 185 in Dallas, Texas which was only to show support for his Roufusport teammate Anthony Pettis. Askren is still contractually obligated with ONE Championship for a few more fights before he can entertain any change in his mixed martial arts promotional outfit.

Watch the video of his interview with Submission Radio below: