Nearly six years after their infamous clash inside the UFC octagon, Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal have finally put their rivalry behind them.

Askren recently revealed that he met Masvidal for dinner – a surprising reconciliation between the two fighters.

The pair first met at UFC 239 in 2019, when Masvidal delivered a flying knee just five seconds into the fight, knocking Askren unconscious and setting the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history.

Leading up to that bout, both fighters exchanged heated trash talk and built a genuine animosity toward one another.
Even after the fight ended, the tension between them lingered.

Years later, however, a serious health scare changed Askren’s perspective.

Earlier this year, the former Olympic wrestler faced a life-threatening situation that required a medically induced coma and eventually led to a double-lung transplant.
During that difficult period, Masvidal reached out to him with the idea of meeting in person.

Reflecting on the encounter, Askren said the experience helped him realize how short life can be:

Well I suppose I learned last summer that life is short, definitely too short for holding grudges.
So when Jorge Masvidal said he wanted to sit down and break bread of course I took him up on it.

Masvidal traveled to Wisconsin to meet Askren, where the two shared a meal:

Today he came to Wisconsin, sat down had some dinner and chatted it up.
Turns out we have more in common than different. Felt great to bury the hatchet and make a new friend.

Askren added that the meeting served as an important reminder about letting go of past conflicts:

Life is too short to hold grudges, bury hatchets and move on with your life.
So glad Jorge was able to come to Wisconsin today.

Well I suppose I learned last summer that life is short, definitely too short for holding grudges. So when @GamebredFighter said he wanted to sit down and break bread of course I took him up on it. Today he came to Wisconsin, sat down had some dinner and chatted it up. Turns… pic.twitter.com/WkV9br7Ww4

— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) March 8, 2026

Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents

💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win? 💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers? It’s not your age. It’s your strategy. If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you. 🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:

Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu

Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.

Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.