Okay, here’s a detailed article about why “Ben Askren” is trending in New Zealand as of June 12, 2025, written in an easy-to-understand manner:
Why is Ben Askren Trending in New Zealand? (June 12, 2025)
As of this morning, June 12, 2025, “Ben Askren” is a trending search term in New Zealand according to Google Trends. For those who aren’t deeply involved in combat sports, this might seem a little strange. After all, Askren is a retired mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler. So, why the sudden surge of interest in the land of the long white cloud? Let’s break down the likely reasons.
1. The Most Probable Reason: A Recent Event or Announcement (Hypothetical)
The most likely explanation for a sudden trend like this is a recent event that has thrust Askren back into the spotlight. Since I’m writing this based on a future date, I’m speculating, but here are a few plausible scenarios:
-
A Comeback Announcement: Perhaps Askren has announced, or even hinted at, a potential comeback fight. This could be a boxing match (like his previous bout against Jake Paul), a wrestling match, or even a return to MMA (though less likely given his past neck issues). Any suggestion of him competing again would generate buzz. The announcement could have been made at a press conference, on social media, or even a podcast appearance.
-
A Guest Appearance/Commentary Role: He could be making a guest appearance at a major combat sports event happening in or near New Zealand (Australia for example). Or, more likely, he’s been hired as a commentator for a significant fight card that is particularly popular in New Zealand. Kiwis are big fans of sports, especially rugby, but combat sports also have a dedicated following.
-
A Controversial Statement: Askren has never shied away from expressing his opinions, sometimes controversially. Perhaps he made a statement, either on social media or in an interview, about a topical issue related to combat sports, a specific fighter, or even something completely unrelated, that has resonated (or caused outrage) within New Zealand’s online community. Perhaps it was related to a recent UFC fight or a political matter.
-
Family News/Personal Milestone: While less likely, something significant could have happened in Askren’s personal life. A major life event, such as the birth of a grandchild, could trigger interest, particularly if covered by major news outlets.
2. Lingering Popularity and Memorable Moments:
Even without a specific recent event, it’s worth remembering that Askren had a reasonably high profile during his active career. He’s known for a few things that could keep him in the public consciousness:
-
His Wrestling Background: As a former Olympic wrestler, he carries a certain level of respect and recognition. Wrestling is a well-respected sport in New Zealand, and his credentials would resonate with sports enthusiasts.
-
His MMA Career (Bellator and ONE Championship): Before entering the UFC, Askren was a dominant champion in Bellator and ONE Championship, two significant MMA promotions. While the UFC is the biggest, many fans outside the US are more familiar with these other organizations.
-
His UFC Stint (and the Masvidal Knee): His time in the UFC was brief and ultimately unsuccessful, most famously remembered for his record-breaking five-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal via a flying knee. That highlight-reel knockout is still shared and discussed widely. It’s entirely possible that a social media post referencing that fight has triggered the trend.
-
The Jake Paul Boxing Match: His boxing match against Jake Paul, although he lost, generated a lot of mainstream attention. Even non-MMA fans were aware of that fight, so any discussion of it (perhaps Paul mentioned him again) could rekindle interest.
3. Algorithm-Driven Trends:
Sometimes, Google Trends are a bit mysterious. It’s possible that a combination of minor factors, related news articles, and social media activity has simply pushed Askren into the trending spotlight in New Zealand. These algorithms can be quite complex and occasionally highlight somewhat random topics.
In Conclusion:
While we can’t know for certain why Ben Askren is trending in New Zealand without further information about the specific news cycle on June 12, 2025, the most probable explanation is a recent event – a comeback announcement, a commentary gig, or a controversial statement – that has re-ignited interest in the retired fighter. It could also be a combination of his past career highlights, the infamy of the Masvidal knockout, and the enduring interest in the Jake Paul fight. Keep an eye on sports news and social media in New Zealand to see what triggered the surge in searches!
AI reported the news.
The answer was obtained from Google Gemini based on the following question:
At 2025-06-12 06:50, ‘ben askren’ has become a trending keyword according to Google Trends NZ. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
725