When Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren had the cage door shut behind him at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, few thought that the dominant wrestler would fight like a brand new man at the sound of the opening bell. Unfortunately for Karl Amoussou, he would find out the hard way. 

The opening round saw Amoussou open up with strikes early on, tagging the champion. However, it was all elementary once Askren could close the distance. The champ put the Frenchman on his back and kept him there. This iteration of Ben Askren seemed hellbent on breaking his “death by 1,000 cuts” ideology. “Funky” opened up with stiff punches and brutal elbows from the top position, leaving “Psycho” bleeding like a stuck pig.

The second period saw the judoka start off well, he was even able to get top position and lock up an inverted heel hook. Unfazed, The Mizzou wrestler spun out and regained control. The 2012 Summer Series tournament winner would not be getting up again. For the rest of the second round, Askren would show off more of his new, vicious ground and pound, further opening the nasty gash over the left eye of Amoussou.

“Funky” wasted no time taking things to his realm in the third stanza. The Olympian immediately completed a takedown and pounded from the former policeman’s half guard. The submission specialist could offer no resistance, while he slipped the occasional ground strike, he could neither regain guard nor scramble out. The Olympic wrestler closed things out by passing to side control and immediately moving to full mount, raining punishment on his challenger.

After a few tense moments in the corner, it was decided by the ringside physician that Amoussou could no longer continue. Given the state of his left eye, referee Jason Herzog was told to call the bout, notching a third title defense for Askren at 5:00 of the third round in what was unquestionably the most impressive performance of his career hitherto.