Ben Askren submits Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut at UFC 235

In 2019, at UFC 235, Ben Askren made his promotional debut against Robbie Lawler in a bout marked by a controversial early stoppage. After Lawler slammed Askren and opened a cut with heavy ground strikes, Askren survived and locked in a bulldog choke. Referee Herb Dean waved off the fight when Lawler’s arm went limp, though both replays and Lawler’s immediate reaction suggested he remained conscious.