Bjorn Rebney bellator Owner and CEO
Bellator MMA CEO and Founder Bjorn Rebeny has announced that welterweight champion Ben Askren will not be resigning with the company. The CEO’s Twitter account posted “We’ve relinquished any right to match and Ben can sign with whoever he chooses to sign with. I wish Ben the best wherever he goes.”
For the undefeated Askren, the next step is an obvious one. Dana White and the UFC have already expressed interest in signing the now former Bellator Champion. Earlier Rebney had quipped that a guaranteed title shot at St.Pierre immediately would be the only way he would refuse matching rights, however something obviously changed his tune.
Askren a former National Champion and Olympic wrestler has been criticized for his ground based style, that for some fans consider boring. Askren has been dominant in all of his title defenses, and has not shown any cracks in his game since entering the Bellator cage.
THE CLINCH REPORT 
Good deal! If Ben Askren wants to fight elsewhere, and Bellator released him from his contract, that is the best move possible. Bellator likely learned from the past Eddie Alvarez situation and does not want to go down that road again unless they really have to. So, if Askren is signed by the UFC, we will see if he can back up his talk. Askren is a very good fighter, so he will likely cause some damage in the UFC.
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