Funky: My Defiant Path Through the Wild World of Combat Sports
Written by Ben Askren
Narrated by Ben Askren
4.5/5
()
About this audiobook
Here, in Funky, this record-breaking wrestler and polarizing UFC fighter shares how he came to dominate opponents while blazing a trail through competitors in unprecedented ways. Not blessed with natural athleticism, he revolutionized folkstyle wrestling by innovating his own technique, which earned him the famous nickname, "Funky."
What ensued was an improbable takeover of combat sports by a firebrand who defied tradition, becoming the University of Missouri's first ever national champion while twice winning the prestigious Dan Hodge trophy. Now, Askren opens up about how he bucked convention, how he used his wrestling base to seize the world of cage-fighting, and how he eventually forced UFC president Dana White to end their decade-long public feud via a historic trade.
Love him or hate him, win or lose, Ben Askren showed what determination means by staying true to one of his earliest revelations on the mats: "I was never going to let anybody outwork me."
Ben Askren
Ben Askren was one of the most iconic collegiate wrestlers in NCAA history, amassing a record of 153-9 at the University of Missouri, taking home two national titles, and twice winning the Dan Hodge Trophy for being the best college wrestler in the country. He represented the United States in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and later used his wrestling pedigree to win titles in two separate promotions once he transitioned to mixed martial arts. When he retired in 2019 at the age of thirty-three, Askren was not only one of the most accomplished fighters in combat sports history—he was one of the most popular.
Related to Funky
Related audiobooks
The Pact: A UFC Champion, a Boy with Cancer, and their Promise to Win the Ultimate Battle Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Wrestling Life 2: More Inspiring Stories of Dan Gable Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Wrestlers' Wrestlers: The Masters of the Craft of Professional Wrestling Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Game of Throws Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFirst: What It Takes to Win Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Chosen Destiny Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 33-Year-Old Rookie: How I Finally Made It to the Big Leagues After Eleven Years in the Minors Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5MOX Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5House of Nails: A Memoir of Life on the Edge Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Life In and Out of the Rough: The Truth Behind All That Bull**** You Think You Know About Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Feel Like Going On: Life, Game, and Glory Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why I Stand Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Season on the Brink Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Show You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dottir: My Journey to Becoming a Two-Time CrossFit Games Champion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Conflicted Scars: An Average Player’s Journey to the NHL Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5NFL Confidential: True Confessions from the Gutter of Football Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Conquering Muay Thai: From Finding a Gym to Competing at the Local Level Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Losing Isn't Everything: The Untold Stories and Hidden Lessons Behind the Toughest Losses in Sports History Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Long Snapper Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Wrestling Life: The Inspiring Stories of Dan Gable Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Blood in the Cage: Mixed Martial Arts, Pat Miletich, and the Furious Rise of the UFC Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Fight / Your Fight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Quitters Never Win: My Life in UFC Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Killing the Image: A Champion’s Journey of Faith, Fighting, and Forgiveness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Way of the Fight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Martial Arts For You
The Book of Five Rings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Seconds to Live or Die: Life-Saving Lessons from a Former CIA Officer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tao of Wing Chun: The History and Principles of China's Most Explosive Martial Art Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 32 Principles: Harnessing the Power of Jiu-Jitsu to Succeed in Business, Relationships, and Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Defend Yourself: A Comprehensive Security Plan for the Armed Homeowner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Comprehensive Guide to BJJ Grappling Basics for Beginners and a Comparison with Japanese Jujitsu Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness To Stay Safe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Tao of the Side Hustle: A Buddhist Martial Arts Approach to Your New Business Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Inner Smile: Increasing Chi through the Cultivation of Joy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Kung-Fu: The Ultimate Guide to Shaolin Kung Fu Along with Its Movements and Techniques Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelf-Defense: Awareness and Training Guide for Kicking Some Serious Butt Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Breathe: A Life in Flow Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai: An Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Judo: A Simple Guide for Beginners Wanting to Learn Techniques for Self-Defense or Competition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lost Interview - Bruce Lee: The Pierre Berton Show - 9 December 1971 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your KIDS: Teaching Situational Awareness To Keep Children Safe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Seal Survival Guide: A Navy Seal's Secrets to Surviving Any Disaster Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is Tai Chi: 50 Essential Questions and Answers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fight Like a Physicist: The Incredible Science Behind Martial Arts Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Way of the Fight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Manual Of Bean Curd Boxing: Tai Chi and the Noble Art of Leaving Things Undone Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Quitters Never Win: My Life in UFC Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Martial Arts: The Complete Encyclopedia Of Martial Arts Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Funky
2 ratings0 reviews