Masvidal Breaks Down His Famous Ben Askren Knockout

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode is a deep dive into Jorge Masvidal's iconic flying knee knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239, revealing the meticulous psychological and strategic planning that led to one of the fastest KOs in UFC history. Masvidal elaborates on how he exploited Askren's predictable wrestling instincts and observed his opponent's discomfort in unscripted, face-to-face encounters. The discussion also covers Askren's grappling-heavy fighting style, the cultural impact of the "super necessary" phrase, and the extensive practice Masvidal dedicated to the specific technique.

Key Discussion Points

• The Ben Askren Knockout Strategy: Jorge Masvidal details his calculated plan to exploit Ben Askren's natural "crotch sniffing instincts." He explains how he initiated the fight with a slow, angled approach, followed by a sudden change of speed, which he predicted would trigger Askren's immediate reaction to duck for a takedown, perfectly positioning him for the flying knee. Masvidal confirms he practiced this exact sequence "over and over and over again," being 95% certain of its success.
• Psychological Warfare Against Askren: Masvidal reveals his extensive psychological strategy, noting Askren's witty online persona contrasted with his "freezing up" in unscripted, in-person interactions. He recounts an anecdote of ambushing Askren in a hallway, popping up to scare him and observing Askren's immediate discomfort and inability to "keep it together" when confronted without a script. These observations confirmed Masvidal's belief that he could easily invade Askren's space and make him uncomfortable.
• Critique of Askren's Fighting Style: Masvidal offers a candid assessment of Ben Askren's wrestling-dominant style, describing it as "hugging guys to death" or "sniffing an armpit," rather than actively seeking finishes. He contrasts this with true fighting, where opponents aim to land blows, and posits that Askren's approach was the "complete opposite of fighting." This understanding of Askren's predictable reliance on grappling was central to Masvidal's counter-strategy.
• The "Super Necessary" Phenomenon: The podcast touches upon the widespread impact of Masvidal's post-knockout phrase, "super necessary." It's mentioned that Masvidal even had "papers" with "305 babies" and "super necessary" printed on them, highlighting the iconic status of the moment and the phrase. The immediate reaction from Askren on Twitter, simply stating "well that sucked," is also recalled, adding to the memorable nature of the event.
• Pre-Fight Certainty and Execution: Masvidal emphasizes his near-absolute confidence in his plan on the night before the fight, stating he was "95% certain" due to Askren's behavior throughout the fight week. He knew that by invading Askren's personal space and changing speeds, he could force Askren into his "natural instincts," confirming the "duck" and "sniff the crotch" reaction. The knockout was the result of a perfectly executed, long-conceived strategy.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Masvidal describes an incident where he "ducked off in a cubby" and sprang up to surprise Askren in a hallway, observing Askren "short-circuit" and act awkwardly. He pressed Askren, asking "why are you such a corny motherfucker?" to test his composure.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Masvidal reveals he was "95% certain" his flying knee plan would work, not just because of physical training, but primarily due to his detailed psychological assessment of Askren's predictable reactions and discomfort in unscripted confrontations.
• Memorable Exchange: The discussion highlights the stark contrast between Masvidal's "super necessary" celebration and Askren's immediate, understated Twitter response of "well that sucked," capturing the opposing sentiments surrounding the historic knockout.

Key Takeaways

Listeners will gain an unparalleled understanding of the psychological warfare and meticulous planning involved in high-level combat sports, exemplified by Jorge Masvidal's defeat of Ben Askren. The episode reveals how Masvidal strategically exploited Askren's predictable wrestling instincts and observed his opponent's real-world demeanor to craft a game-winning strategy. It underscores the importance of mental fortitude and precision in execution, making this knockout a testament to detailed preparation beyond just physical training.