“A Division I college wrestling team has so many guys at such a high level it'd be like having every single guy in the gym being a top 10 UFC guy, and that's who you're competing against every single day. Most everyone has been wrestling since they were 5 years old. It's been their dream to wrestle in college. There's such a high level of intensity.”

American former professional mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler and boxer

Ben Askren is an American former professional mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler, and boxer. He competed in the welterweight divisions of Bellator Fighting Championships, ONE FC, and the UFC, and is known for a career that stretched across elite wrestling and mixed martial arts. Askren was the longest reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion and the longest reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion. In the UFC, he reached the No. 5 spot in the welterweight rankings. His public profile is closely tied to combat sports, especially wrestling and welterweight competition.