Good to Defend Title Against Askren at Bellator 33

Bellator welterweight champion Lyman Good will defend his title against Ben Askren at Bellator 33 Oct. 21 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

Good is undefeated in 10 fights and holds half of his victories by knockout. Prior to joining Bellator, the native New Yorker competed primarily in the Ring of Combat promotion. Good defeated “The Ultimate Fighter” season seven participant Mike Dolce by unanimous decision in Good’s only fight with the IFL. Good also fought in three kickboxing matches in Chuck Norris’ World Combat League, winning all three of his bouts. Good is trained by former full-contact karate champion Tiger Shulmann.

After signing with Bellator, Good tacked on three more wins in 2009. Entering the organization’s season one welterweight tournament, Good defeated one opponent per month from Apr. to Jun., beating three in total and becoming Bellator’s first-ever welterweight king. After a year on hiatus, Good will finally defend his 170-pound strap for the first time Oct. 21.

Askren is also an undefeated prospect, winning all six of his pro fights. A former University of Missouri wrestler, Askren is a two-time NCAA champion and competed in 2008 Summer Olympics. “Funky” signed with Bellator in 2010 and promptly won the season two welterweight tournament.

“He’s never really knocked anyone out. I don’t know what people keep talking [about] his power for. He might have a little bit of strength, but that’s going to go away after the first round,” said Askren.

Like Good, Askren ran the table, winning three fights in three months to become tournament champion. Fighting out of Lion’s Den Arizona, the standout grappler isn’t keeping his plan of attack a secret.

“I’m going into this fight with the same strategy as my previous fights, [but I will be] a lot more devastating,” said Askren. “I want to submit him and quickly, but if that doesn’t happen, I’m prepared for five rounds. I can go all day long.”