FiveKnuckles.com: With all the other disciplines out there, is wrestling the best background to have in MMA?

Ben Askren: Wrestling is a good background to have for two reasons. The first being that you can control where the fight is going to go, whether it be standing or on the ground. The second is wrestlers have great work ethic. That's why a lot of them are becoming so good. Many wrestlers are becoming even better on the ground and a lot of them are really good at stand-up. All of that is a testament to great work ethic.

FiveKnuckles.com: Who do you think is the best former collegiate wrestler in MMA right now?

Ben Askren: That's a tough question. I'm definitely going to forget about someone. I guess you got to go with Brock Lesnar because he's the only one that's got a belt right now. I think there are a bunch of up-and-comers. Aaron Simpson is definitely someone to watch out for. [Jake] Rosholt and [Johnny] Hendricks are on the way up. Mo Lawal looks pretty good. Those are just the guys with strong wrestling backgrounds. A guy like Randy Couture isn't really considered a wrestler as much anymore because he hasn't wrestled in years. You have a guy like Frankie Edgar who was a good college wrestler, but not great. Gray Maynard was pretty good, but not great. Many guys have strong wrestling backgrounds that help them a lot in MMA, but unless they won big in college, most people wouldn't really know. There are just so many of them out there that I would have to make a list and analyze it for hours upon hours before I make the right choice.

FiveKnuckles.com: Are you looking to get on the MMA fast track or pick and choose as you move up in the ranks?

Ben Askren: I would like to be on the fast track. I think my next fight is going to be in Strikeforce which is somewhat like the fast track. I've taken it slow to this point. My first few fights were against lesser opponents, but being in Strikeforce should help me move up the ladder pretty quick. I still don't know who or when I'm fighting next though.

FiveKnuckles.com: What is it like training with the guys at Arizona Combat Sports?

Ben Askren: I haven't had a lot of time because I coach wrestling full-time at Arizona State. I try to get in there as much as possible. Aaron Simpson comes in there and wrestles quite a bit and [Ryan] Bader comes in often. We have some open mats so it's nice having some of those bigger name guys coming in there and getting after it. Once you've wrestled for a while it's not like you forget how to do it. Out of the cage Aaron Simpson is one of the nicest guys I've met. He was a really good wrestler. ...