USA’s Ben Askren throws a ground and pound against Japan’s Shinya Aoki. INQURER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon
SINGAPORE—Ben Askren’s retirement fight didn’t last long.
57 seconds to be exact.
READ: ONE: Aoki ‘really good’ opponent for Askren’s swan song
Askren wasted no time pummeling Shinya Aoki, one of Asia’s best mixed martial artists, with heavy blows that prompted the referee to immediately stop the main event of the ONE: Immortal Pursuit at Singapore Indoor Stadium here.
The American fighter is walking away from the cage with 18 wins sans a loss and the reputation of being one of the best fighters in the welterweight division.
READ ONE: Iniong’s win streak ends with UD loss to Yamaguchi
“I think this is it. If I get the opportunity to prove I’m number one, then I’ll take the opportunity. I don’t need any more money. I just want to show the fans that I’m the best welterweight in the world. Other than that, I’m out,” said Askren.
Aoki, meanwhile, continued his slide with back-to-back TKO losses in a span of the year which started with his stunning setback to Eduard Folayang last year at the same venue.
READ: Worth the wait: Folayang cops ONE lightweight title, stops Aoki
The Japenese mixed martial arts legends just didn’t match up against the seemingly bigger Askren, who picked him up and easily threw him to the mat before finishing him off with ground and pound.
Meanwhile, the Singaporean bets completed a sweep of their assignments to the delight of the big hometown crowd.
Singapore’s May Ooi gestures after defeating Cambodia’s Vy Srey Khouch in the first round via submission. INQURER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon
May Ooi and Tiffany Teo came out with impressive submissions victories while Amir Khan pulled off a dominant unanimous decision in the co-main event against veteran Adrian Pang.
Ooi submitted Camboda’s Vy Srey Khouch with a rear naked choke 3:58 in the first round while Teo made quick work of India’s Puja Tomar with a finishing armbar with 53 seconds left in the opening period.
Meanwhile, two Filipino bets in the action-packed card failed to bring home a victory.
READ: ONE: PH’s Corminal loses by submission to Lepont
Gina Iniong lost to ONE Atomweight title contender Mei Yamaguchi via unanimous decision in her second fight in the promotion this month.
Malaysia-based Richard Corminal, meanwhile, yielded to the returning Frenchman Arnaud LePont, who finished him off with a triangle choke at the 3:16 mark of the opener.