ONE Championship: Shanghai - Ben Askren vs. Zebaztian Kadestam

ONE Championship: Shanghai - Ben Askren vs. Zebaztian Kadestam

Sep 2, 2017
Results

ONE: Shanghai
Ben Askren squared off with Zebaztian Kademstam in the main event at ONE: Shanghai.
Ben Askren came into ONE: Shanghai as the dominant king of the welterweights in Asia’s top mixed martial arts promotion.

Since defecting from Bellator in 2013, the two-time NCAA Div. I national champion and former Olympic wrestler has continued his winning ways notching five consecutive bouts without defeat. After dispatching Agilan Thani in lightning-quick fashion at ONE: Dynasty of Heroes back in May, doubt began to hover as to whether or not a viable challenge remained for Askren under ONE’s promotional banner.

Yet, before the dust could settle in Singapore, a serious threat to his 170-pound crown emerged in Zebaztian Kadestam.

The Swedish powerhouse pulled off a stunning upset by smashing out Askren rival Luis “Sapo” Santos via third-round destruction due to a brutal series of knees on the ground. With the victory, “The Bandit” earned a shot at Askren and a chance to dethrone the king in Shanghai.

That said, if Askren has proven anything during his competitive career it’s that getting beyond his wrestling is far easier said than done. And it didn't come remotely close to happening.

Askren wasted no time slamming Kadestam to the canvas then commenced to utterly pulverizing the Swede. In a performance that can only be described as dominant, the 33-year-old landed hundreds of shots without getting touched by a single shot from Kadestam. Not a single punch was landed by his opponent and that just doesn't happen in mixed martial arts.

The referee stepped in to show mercy late in the second round and Askren earned another successful title defense as he moves to 17-0. 



Full Results: 

Ben Askren def. Zebaztian Kadestam via TKO (punches) Rd 2

Ma Hao Bin def. Hexigetu via submisison (guillotine) Rd 2

Amir Khan def. Jaroslav Jartim via KO (punch) Rd 1



Xu Chun Yan def. Eh Ya Nut via unanimous decision



Tetsuya Yamada def. Kyle Rozewski via submission (rear naked choke) Rd 1

Sagetdao Petpayathai def. Mahmoud Mohamed via KO (elbows) Rd 1




Event Info
Asia's premier MMA organization, ONE Championship, returns to FloCombat Saturday, Sept. 2, at 7 a.m. ET with ONE: Shanghai (streaming in the U.S. only). Featuring a welterweight title fight between undefeated champ Ben Askren and knockout artist Zebaztian Kadestam, this event features all the star power and chaos you need to kickstart your Saturday. Don't miss it.
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