Ben Askren

High school (ages 12+)
Sports & Games

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ben-askren

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Ben Askren born?July 18, 1984
2. What is the primary career?Former professional mixed martial artist and Olympic wrestler
3. What is the fighting style?Dominant wrestling and grappling, often referred to as 'lay and pray'
4. What is Ben Askren known for?Ben Askren is a champion wrestler who competed in the Olympics and later became a top mixed‑martial‑arts fighter. He won many titles in both sports, including national championships and world titles.
5. Why did Ben Askren switch from wrestling to MMA?He wanted to use his strong wrestling skills in a new sport and become a champion fighter. The move let him challenge opponents in a different way.

Folkstyle Wrestling: The style of wrestling primarily practiced in American high schools and colleges, emphasizing control and pinning.
Submission Wrestling: A grappling-based sport where the goal is to force an opponent to submit through joint locks or chokeholds.
Lay and Pray: A pejorative term in MMA for a fighter who takes an opponent down and holds them without actively trying to finish the fight.