18 of the best male Bellator fighters of all-time [UPDATED]

Best male Bellator fighter: Ben Askren

Ben Askren is not only one of the better trash talkers and instigators in the sport, but he’s a greatly skilled wrestler who grinds out victories against plenty. He may not bring the most exciting style, and his UFC run has not gotten off to the best start with a controversial submission and being the victim of the fastest knockout in UFC history, but Askren has been a champion in two different promotions. And everything that got started with a successful run in Bellator MMA.

After three finishes in less than 90 seconds in three fights to start his MMA career in 2009, Askren made his Bellator debut at Bellator 14 in 2010, scoring two wins over Ryan Thomas in two months before defeating Dan Hornbuckle at Bellator 22 to win the season two Bellator welterweight tournament. Askren then scored a decision win over Lyman Good to win the Bellator welterweight title at Bellator 33.

After a win over Nick Thompson in a non-title bout, Askren would defend the Bellator title successfully four consecutive times, including wins over two future champions — a decision over Douglas Lima at Bellator 64 and a fourth-round TKO over Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 97. The win over Koreshkov would mark the last of Askren’s time in Bellator, as failed contract negotiations would see him leave the promotion.

Askren would go on to win welterweight gold in ONE Championship before retiring in November 2017 after defeating Shinya Aoki. He unretired in 2018 to join the UFC and has since retired again.

- Thomas Albano