Ben Askren Not Down With a Rematch Against Robbie Lawler

Despite the controversy surrounding the finish, Ben Askren doesn’t have any desire for a rematch with Robbie Lawler following their UFC 235 bout. Askren spoke with reporters after the fight and while Dana White said, “We’ve got to do the rematch on that one, it’s only fair,” Askren doesn’t agree.

“I pass (on a rematch),” Askren said (per MMAjunkie). “I guess we’ll have that discussion. I would like to fight the winner of Till vs. Masvidal, I think that makes a whole lot of sense where the division is concerned. I didn’t really want to fight Robbie in the first place. The first matchup they offered I said yes. I did that.”

Lawler protested the finish of the match immediately after referee Herb Dean stepped in, saying that he wasn’t out from Askren’s bulldog choke. White told TSN that they should have a rematch, saying, “(Askren) looked rough. It’s hard to come into the UFC for your first fight and shine and look great. It’s not easy. I don’t care who you are, or where you’ve been, or what you’ve done. This is a tough stage to come onto for the first time.”