Scott Askham is looking to end his combat sports career in style.
The 36-year-old Englishman made his professional MMA debut in 2010 and since then he’s established himself as one of the country’s very best fighters.
Askham is 14 years into his pro-MMA career@scottaskham1 – Instagram
Askham had a six-fight stint in the UFC, but he lost four times before Dana White released him in 2017.
The 6ft 3in middleweight has proven that there’s life outside MMA’s premier promotion by winning a world title in KSW after previously claiming gold in BAMMA.
A victory over fellow UFC veteran Makhmud Muradov at OKTAGON 61 on Saturday night could lead to him getting the chance to become a three-time world champion.
Patrik Kincl currently reigns over the OKTAGON 185lb division.
Askham he’ll be one of Europe’s greatest-ever fighters if he dethrones the Czech champion.
“I always beat myself up and believe I could’ve achieved more,” he told talkSPORT MMA.
“Becoming world champion is always the goal. I don’t know if it would be the cherry on top [of my career] but it definitely solidifies me as one of the best in Europe to have ever done it.
“If I win this title, that means I would’ve won the title in every organisation I’ve signed with, except for the UFC. Yeah, it will have been some going.
“Obviously, I’ve already won two titles. To win a third, I don’t know many guys doing that, so to do that it would be a great feeling.”
Askham has nothing but respect for Kincl after previously training with the king of OKTAGON middleweights – he just wants to take his title and finish his career with a flourish.
Askham first became a champion with BAMMA@scottaskham1 – Instagram
He added another world title to his trophy room in 2019@scottaskham1 – Instagram
“I’ve had my eyes on Kincl since I signed for OKTAGON,” Askham said.
“He’s the champion, that’s the goal and that’s where I wanna be.
“Every time I’ve said this, I make sure I say how much I respect the champion.
“He actually helped me prepare for my world title fight in KSW. He was out at ATT [American Top Team] and helped me prepare. I did many, many rounds with him.
“Yeah, loads of respect but he’s got the belt around his waist and that’s the goal.”
Askham enters his latest bout with a 20-6 MMA record, which includes several high-profile wins over Mamed Khalidov, Luke Barnett and Jack Marshman.
Two more wins over Muradov and Kincl would mean his name is mentioned alongside Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards when discussing great fighters from the UK.
