Latest news with #OneChampionship
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Ben Askren's wife reveals ex-UFC star hospitalized with severe pneumonia
Ben Askren, a former UFC star and Olympic wrestler, has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia, his wife announced on social media. 'You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,' Amy Askren wrote on Facebook. 'He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and peace.' According to CBS News, the former Bellator welterweight champion, developed the infection after originally being diagnosed with a staph infection. His wife released her statement as rumors swirled within the MMA community. 4 Ben Askren enters the ring against Ben Askren for their cruiserweight bout during Triller Fight Club at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 17, 2021. Getty Images for Triller 4 Ben Askren pictured with his wife Amy and one of his two daughters. Instagram @amyaskren1 Amy Askren requested privacy from the public for their family. The couple has been married since April 2010 and share three children together: daughters Alex and Andy, along with son Ozi. The family lives in Wisconsin. Amy also thanked her followers for sending 'prayers for healing and for peace' during the difficult time. 'We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our [three] children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now,' she explained. Askren, who holds a 19-2 record in MMA, retired from the UFC in 2019. 4 Ben Askren (l.) fights Demian Maia (r.) at UFC Fight Night in Singapore on Oct. 26, 2019. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images The 40-year-old was a two-time NCAA Division I champion in wrestling at the University of Missouri. He concluded his collegiate career with a 153-8 record, which made him the winningest and most decorated wrestler in the university's history. Askren was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. He also won welterweight titles in Bellator MMA and One Championship before making the transition to the UFC in the later part of his career in 2019. 4 Jake Paul fights Ben Askren in their cruiserweight bout during Triller Fight Club at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images for Triller He went 1-2 during his time in the UFC, with his sole victory against former champion Robbie Lawler. He also lost a highly publicized boxing match against Jake Paul in April 2021.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian Dante Leon goes after submission grappling world title in Bangkok
Seventeen years after being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Canadian Dante Leon goes after a world title Friday. The 29-year-old from Harrow, Ont., who now calls Toledo, Ohio, home, faces American champion Tye Ruotolo for the One Championship welterweight submission grappling title in the co-main event of One Fight Night 31 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. 'This is the most important match of my career … Achieving that title, achieving that status would definitely be a life-changing thing,' Leon said in an interview. The Muay Thai main event is an all-Thailand affair pitting Kongthoranee Sor Sommai against former One bantamweight champion Nong-O Hama. Leon and Ruotolo have met twice before, with Leon winning a decision in 2020 and Ruotolo winning by submission in the 2021 rematch. 'I think any insight from those matches should be kind of taken with a grain of salt,' said Leon. 'There's been quite a bit of time between the matches.' Both men have distinguished grappling records. The 22-year-old Ruotolo took up BJJ at the age of three with twin brother Kade, who holds One's lightweight (170-pound) submission grappling title. In 2019, 16-year-old Tye became the youngest athlete to make it to the semifinals of the prestigious ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship. In 2022, he became the youngest-ever IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) world champion. Leon is a two-time IBJJF no-gi world champion and was named Grappling Insider's Male Grappler of the Year in 2023. Last year at the ADCC World Championships, he defeated ADCC world champions Mica Galvao and Giancarlo Bodoni en route to bronze in the absolute (open) division. Leon won his One Championship debut on Dec. 6, making short work of Brazilian Bruno (Puccibull) Pucci on the undercard of One Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov. He earned a US$50,000 bonus for his performance. He then defeated Norway's Tommy Langaker via decision on Jan. 10, also in Bangkok. Leon has not competed since, focusing instead on preparing for Ruotolo. Ruotolo, who is coming off a knee injury that has sidelined him since July, has won all seven previous One Championship bouts. His bouts last an average of two minutes and one second. He claimed the 185-pound title in November 2023, winning a unanimous decision over Russia's Magomed Abdulkadirov. Ruotolo has defended the championship twice, submitting Australian Izaak Michell in April 2024 and earning a decision over South Africa's Jozef Chen in July. Ruotolo calls Leon a threat 'in every department.' One Championship submission grappling bouts consist of a single 10-minute round with victory achieved by a submission, verbal tapout, stoppage initiated by either the referee (due to imminent danger) or an athlete's cornerman stoppage. The judges decide the outcome if it goes the distance. In order to make prime time in North America, the card starts at 8 a.m. local time in Thailand with Leon expecting to compete around 11 a.m. He says that is not an issue given he normally trains around that time. Born in Harrow in southwestern Ontario, Leon grew up playing hockey but switched to BJJ at 12 years old at the behest of his mother after learning he wanted to spend less time on the ice. Leon turned down golf and piano lessons before his father suggested jiu-jitsu. His BJJ training eventually took him to Toledo where he now has his two gyms. 'Each day that I get to do it, each day that I get to wake up and train, prepare for competition, teach my students is a blessing,' he said of jiu-jitsu. 'I really do enjoy it.' During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. But he acknowledges it's a sport that takes its toll. 'Jiu-jitsu is not something that's great for your body health-wise,' he said. 'Especially at a high level when you train a lot, I think it's something that can really break your body down … My training has a lot of layers. There's a lot to do with the jiu-jitsu side and the wrestling, and the preparation for my skill development. 'And then there's also a lot of strength and conditioning and plyometric work that can kind of fill the gaps and strengthen me so that I can do jiu-jitsu more frequently and do it for a longer time.' — This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025
CBC
18-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
One-handed Calgary Muay Thai fighter sees himself as 'a puzzle with missing pieces'
The wait is over for Calgary Muay Thai fighter Jake (The One) Peacock. Peacock looks for his second straight win in One Championship action when he takes on Japan's Shinji Suzuki on Thursday at One 171: Qatar in Lusail. Peacock, who was born without a right hand, has been waiting for a fight since winning a unanimous decision over Japanese bantamweight Kohei (Samurai Warrior) Shinjo in his debut in the promotion last April in Bangkok. "I was ready to fight April 6, the day after my debut," Peacock said from Qatar. "It's been a long time coming." Peacock and Suzuki were originally due to meet Nov. 8 on a card that shifted from Atlanta to Bangkok before being postponed to Thursday in Qatar. The card at Lusail Sports Arena also sees Britain's Jonathan (The General) Haggerty defend his One kickboxing bantamweight title against China's Wei Rui, the No. 1 contender who has won 21 straight fights. And strawweight MMA champion Joshua (The Passion) Pacio of the Philippines and interim title-holder Jarred (The Monkey God) Brooks of the United States meet in a trilogy bout to unify the title. The 31-year-old Peacock was born without a right hand after the amniotic band was wrapped around his arm in the early stages of development, which stopped it from growing. Peacock, who weighed in at 144.5 pounds last time out, wears only one glove but uses his right arm to deliver elbows and other strikes. The Canadian, coming on like a threshing machine, was too much for Shinjo in Bangkok, wearing the Japanese fighter down over three rounds. "I thought it was a very good performance," Peacock said. "I was in control the whole fight. Really I was just having a good time, enjoying the moment. It was my debut for One, so I got to showcase a bit of what I'm about and entertain the fans. "I probably had a little bit too much fun. I should have gone for the finish but I won't make that mistake again. We're going to have to shut Shinji down and put him out in two rounds." One's Muay Thai bouts feature three three-minute rounds (five rounds for a title bout) with fighters wearing four-ounce mixed martial arts gloves. Knockouts can be scored via punch, kick, knee, elbow or legal throw. Peacock earned his spot with the Asian-based combat sports promoter by winning the Road to One tournament to secure a $100,000 US, six-fight contract. He presents a unique challenge. While Muay Thai is known as the art of eight limbs (fists, elbows, knees, shins), Peacock has adapted to his body. "It's really just a difference of timing," he said. "Some people would think it's a disadvantage. But I've been born with it so I don't know anything different." He says his style will keep evolving. "I change the blueprint every day," he said. "No one's going to figure me out. I'm a puzzle with missing pieces." Suzuki, 39, is 1-1 in One competition, coming off a decision over China's Han Zi Hao last March after winning the Road to One: Japan tournament to earn his place on the roster. "He's experienced. He's been in there with some good competition," said Peacock. "He'll be tough. The Japanese, they always fight with honour.… So I'm expecting him to come forward. I'm expecting him to bring his best. "He's a heavy boxer, likes a low kick. But we're ready for anywhere we want to take it. We'll take the fight where we see fit and we're going to shut him out and put him away." Married with two kids, Peacock is also the founder and head coach at Calgary's Dunamis Gym, which he owns with his wife. His father, Gavin Peacock, played soccer for 18 years, scoring more than 135 goals for England's Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Newcastle United among other clubs. He turned to ministry after his playing career, moving to Canada. Born and raised in London, England, Jake was enrolled in martial arts at the age of seven to learn discipline and self-defence. After moving to Canada at 14, Peacock transitioned to full contact Kyokushin karate, eventually moving to Muay Thai and kickboxing. He is enjoying the spotlight in One Championship. "I'm having a great time. I love it," he said. "And I was made for this. I was made to entertain. I enjoy the press. Obviously fighting is the pinnacle of it but I enjoy it all." As he did in Bangkok, the Albertan will enter and leave the ring wearing a cowboy hat. "The Wild West is coming to the Middle East.… We're ready for a Western shootout," he said enthusiastically.
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Photos: Miesha Tate through the years
miesha-tate-one-championship-tour-seattle-1 One Championship at the Southwest Boys and Girls Club on Monday, February 25, 2019 in Seattle.… One Championship at the Southwest Boys and Girls Club on Monday, February 25, 2019 in Seattle. (PHOTO by Stephen Brashear)
Telegraph
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
‘I only have one hand but I will go down as an all-time great fighter'
The martial art of Muay Thai is often referred to as 'the art of eight limbs', making it all the more extraordinary that Jake Peacock has reached the pinnacle of the sport despite being born with one hand. The son of Gavin Peacock, the former QPR, Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder, has been scrapping since he was mocked for his disability while at school in south London. The 31-year-old's street-fighting skills have taken him all the way to the One Championship, the most lucrative martial arts competition in the world, valued at $1.3 billion (£1 billion) by Forbes. Peacock is preparing for his second contest in a six-fight deal with One Championship, which offers six-figure bonuses on top of each fighter's individual purse. Although billed as Jake 'The One' Peacock for obvious reasons, his ambition is to be known as a great fighter and to win a world title. After winning on his One Championship debut last year, Peacock's next bout is against Japanese fighter Shinji Suzuki on February 20 in Qatar, where victory would earn him a shot at fighting a top-10 opponent. Sky Sports will broadcast the fight in the UK. 'It's a very visible thing that I have,' Peacock says from his home in Canada, where he has lived since the age of 15 after the family emigrated for Gavin to study theology in Calgary before becoming a Christian minister. 'I have one hand, everyone can see that. But I'm a fighter and will be known as a great fighter at the end of my career. 'I'm gonna starch this guy. Anything can happen out there and every opponent is dangerous, but I'm not going out there to lose. I'm gonna put this guy away in two rounds. I want to keep challenging myself and fight the very best. I want to fight for a world title down the road. I'm just going to keep working my way up the rankings.' 'I grew up with name-calling, so Mum signed me up for karate' Peacock's fight journey began at the age of seven, when his mother signed him up for karate with a view to ensuring he could defend himself if the playground taunts became physical. 'I grew up with name-calling and stigma because of my arm, but I coped with it,' he says. 'Growing up in south-east London, Mum thought karate would be a good idea, and I took a liking to it right away. 'I only had one real scrap at school. I handled it pretty quickly, and after that I never got picked on again. They regretted it and we became best mates afterwards! I started with sport karate, which is touch contact, then moved on to full-contact karate. I was competing from 10 years old, so respect came in the fight world pretty quickly. From 14 to 17 I was in the world championships, travelling all over the world, and really got the itch. 'I wanted something more and found Muay Thai. To me Muay Thai is the most complete combat sport there is. You can punch, kick, elbow, there's clinching involved as well, so it was the sport for me.' Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, with the art of eight limbs nickname a reference to the fact that unlike other combat sports, multiple forms of striking are permitted – punches, elbows, knees and kicks. As a one-handed fighter, Peacock has had to develop his own style, but incredibly still uses his right elbow, which has been utilised to deliver knock-down blows. 'It's very different for me,' Peacock says. 'I can't throw conventional combinations so have to really think outside the box in terms of distancing, timing and range management. I've developed a unique style. 'I still use my right arm. I've only got an elbow, but know how to use it. I've put people down with it in the past.' Peacock credits Gavin and his grandad Keith – who made more than 500 appearances for Charlton before moving into management with Gillingham, and then returning to Charlton as assistant to Alan Curbishley – with inspiring the commitment and dedication required to become a professional fighter. 'My dad and grandad have been really helpful,' he says. 'I don't know if they realise this, but just watching how they held themselves through a professional career was a real lesson. The heights they reached, the humility they kept, their composure, professionalism and dedication. All those things really rubbed off on me. I look up to them a lot. They showed me what it takes to be a professional. 'I loved all sports growing up. I played basketball, football obviously, I swam competitively, American football when we moved to Canada. But nothing clicked with me like combat sports. I was never good enough to go pro in football, but out here they think I'm like Pele! Back home I'm just an average Joe.' 'Our family is heavily rooted in Jesus' As a 15-year-old, Peacock initially found the move difficult, but has now lived in Calgary for more than half his live and is married to a Canadian, with three children. Despite growing up with an awareness of Gavin's religious studies, he did not become a Christian until he was 18, a development he believes transformed him as a fighter. His parents have recently returned to England, with Gavin taking a position at a church in south London, but they all remain in close contact. 'My faith is pivotal to me, that's for sure,' Peacock says. 'I'd say I became a Christian at 18 when I was at university and it shapes everything, all my decisions. Our family is heavily rooted in Jesus. I wrestled with religion a bit in my teen years, and I wasn't sure. At the time I was fighting as an amateur and had started to take my identity from that, 'Jake the fighter', that kind of thing. 'That made me feel good because I was so insecure about my arm. But I took a step back and realised that fighting would go soon. It's a short career, you could get injured at any time, and then what do you have? 'I asked what else defined me, and realised I had to take my identity from God, who is unchanging. I got my relationship right with God, put my trust in him, and everything changed. My life pretty much did a 180-degree turn at that point. 'The stuff that used to bother me about my arm didn't worry me any more. I was no longer focused on what I looked like and how people perceived me. I was way more content, even in my fighting. 'I took a break from the sport for two or three years, then went back to it. When I went back I was a different animal. I hadn't even trained, but my mindset was transformed. 'On February 20 I will go out and put on the best performance I can. If I lose, then it's not the end of the world to me. Before it would have been. If I win or lose it doesn't change who I am, or my identity. I'm going out there to win, but if for some reason I lose, then I'm content.' 'I pray for my opponent's safety, but I still want to knock him out' Peacock's last act before entering the ropes will be to say a silent prayer for his opponent, Suzuki, who he wants to knock out without inflicting serious injury. 'When I'm going into the ring I pray for my family, and my opponent's safety,' he says. 'I'm still going in there to knock him out, but hope and pray that there's no major injuries. I swear to you, that's my prayer when I'm walking out. That's the last thing on my mind before I climb over the ropes. I always say a prayer. 'Both fighters sign up for this and know what we're doing, but there's absolutely no bad blood. Every opponent I've ever fought I stay in touch with. When you've shared time in the ring, it's an intimate thing. He's coming out there to put me away, and I want to put him away, but there's a lot of respect. It's a strange thing.'
