Missouri has produced a number of achieved blended martial arts fighters who competed on the highest ranges of the game. These athletes constructed their careers via championship wins, prolonged unbeaten streaks, and memorable performances in main promotions. The state’s wrestling applications, significantly on the College of Missouri, served as coaching grounds for a number of fighters who later received world titles.
Ben Askren’s Championship Legacy
Ben Askren wrestled for the College of Missouri, the place he received two NCAA Division I wrestling championships. His skilled MMA profession started with an prolonged profitable streak that lasted via his total Bellator tenure. Askren captured the Bellator Welterweight World Championship on October 21, 2010, and held the belt till November 14, 2013.
Throughout his Bellator championship run, Askren defended the title 4 instances. He defeated Jay Hieron in 2011, Douglas Lima in 2012, Karl Amoussou in 2013, and Andrey Koreshkov in 2013. After leaving Bellator undefeated, he received the ONE FC Welterweight title and defended it 3 times. His profession ended with a document of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest. Askren fought out of Columbia, Missouri, and often credited his Missouri wrestling background for his cage success.
Michael Chandler’s Three Title Reigns
Michael Chandler captured the Bellator Light-weight World Championship three separate instances, with title reigns beginning in 2011, 2016, and 2018. He received the Bellator Season 4 Light-weight Match early in his profession, establishing himself as a prime light-weight contender. Chandler gathered victories over Eddie Alvarez, Patricky Pitbull, and Benson Henderson throughout his Bellator tenure.
His profession document stands at 24 wins and eight losses as of October 2025. Chandler fought Patricio “Pitbull” Freire for the Bellator light-weight title in 2019, a bout ESPN described as Bellator’s most vital championship struggle at the moment. He competed out of Excessive Ridge, Missouri, earlier than coaching at Sanford MMA in Florida. In March 2023, Chandler contested the UFC light-weight title in opposition to Islam Makhachev, dropping by resolution in accordance with ESPN’s struggle report.
Battle Odds and Wagering Platforms for MMA Occasions
Missouri’s MMA fighters compete in occasions that draw substantial betting curiosity throughout a number of platforms. Followers following Chandler’s UFC bouts or Buckley’s knockout performances typically examine odds via numerous channels together with conventional sportsbooks in Kansas Metropolis, missouri betting apps, and Nevada-based operations that cowl main struggle playing cards.
The betting traces for Missouri fighters range based mostly on their opponent rankings and up to date performances. Chandler’s fights usually see odds motion within the days main as much as occasions, significantly when dealing with top-five ranked opponents. Native followers observe these shifts via regional platforms and nationwide companies that present real-time updates on struggle odds and prop bets for particular outcomes like knockout victories or submission finishes.
Joaquin Buckley’s Knockout Energy
Joaquin Buckley emerged from St. Louis with a fame for ending fights by knockout. His October 2020 spinning again kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay grew to become one among UFC’s most replayed finishes, in accordance with ESPN and CBS Sports activities protection from that 12 months. Buckley has since defeated Albert Duraev, Andre Fialho, and Vicente Luque within the UFC.
His skilled document exhibits 18 wins and seven losses via October 2025. Buckley recorded two further spotlight finishes in 2024, sustaining his fame for aggressive hanging. He trains in St. Louis and often mentions his Missouri roots throughout pre-fight interviews. Earlier than his 2023 bout with Vicente Luque, Buckley informed CBS Sports activities that he carries Missouri’s preventing spirit into each bout.
Jake Collier and Steve Berger
Jake Collier from St. Louis has competed within the UFC since 2014, preventing at each middleweight and heavyweight divisions. He holds wins over Chase Sherman and Gian Villante whereas accumulating a profession document of 13 wins and 9 losses. Collier’s skill to compete throughout weight courses demonstrates his technical boxing expertise and flexibility.
Steve Berger competed throughout MMA’s earlier years, preventing in each UFC and Strikeforce occasions. His profession concluded with 20 wins, 22 losses, and a pair of attracts. Berger fought out of St. Louis and contributed to establishing Missouri’s presence in skilled blended martial arts in the course of the sport’s developmental interval.
Rankings and Historic Context
ESPN, CBS Sports activities, and Bellator historic discussions persistently place Michael Chandler and Ben Askren on the prime of Missouri’s MMA fighter rankings. Their a number of world titles, championship defenses, and prolonged unbeaten streaks separate them from different Missouri fighters. Chandler’s three Bellator championship reigns and his rivalry with Eddie Alvarez established him as probably the most adorned Missouri-born Bellator fighter.
Askren seems in Bellator’s all-time rankings for his dominance and undefeated streak earlier than transitioning to ONE FC and later UFC. His wrestling-based fashion, developed in Missouri, influenced welterweight competitors methods in accordance with analyst discussions. Joaquin Buckley maintains relevance via his lively struggle schedule and knockout victories, guaranteeing common media protection amongst present Missouri fighters.
Present Exercise and Media Presence
Chandler maintains verified social media profiles on Twitter and Instagram the place he posts coaching updates and motivational content material tied to his Missouri background. Buckley shares struggle promotions and gymnasium updates from St. Louis via his social platforms. Askren retired from competitors however hosts a podcast referred to as “Funky Speak” the place he discusses wrestling strategies and MMA technique.
These fighters proceed to signify Missouri via their careers and post-competition actions. Chandler and Buckley stay lively rivals within the UFC, whereas Askren gives commentary and evaluation on numerous platforms. Their collective achievements established Missouri as a supply of championship-level MMA expertise throughout a number of weight courses and promotions.
Conclusion
Missouri’s prime MMA fighters earned their rankings via championship victories, memorable performances, and sustained excellence in main promotions. Ben Askren’s undefeated Bellator run and subsequent ONE FC championship established him as an elite welterweight. Michael Chandler’s three Bellator light-weight titles and high-profile UFC fights secured his place as Missouri’s most adorned lively fighter. Joaquin Buckley’s knockout victories present present illustration for Missouri within the UFC, whereas Jake Collier and Steve Berger contributed to the state’s MMA legacy via their respective careers. These athletes reworked their Missouri wrestling and coaching backgrounds into skilled preventing success on the sport’s highest ranges.
