He wrestled with a decision. Should he take a shot at a new sport which is something he has wanted to try since he was little kid. Askren has a Missouri record 91 career pins, he is a two-time national champion and is bold enough to predict gold in his first ever Olympics.

"A lot of people think I'm still crazy, but I think I'm going to win gold in Beijing," said Askren in June of 2008.

Askren did not medal in Bejing. He finished in 7th place.

"Obviously I didn't get what I want, an Olympic gold medal. The cards just didn't fall right for me. I got a lot of things I need to work on if I want an Olympic gold medal," Askren said.

The options for him were simple: continue to wrestle or trying something new, mixed martial arts.

"It came down to it and I said, 'I have a lot of years left and what I want to do right now is fight,'" said Askren.

Askren signed on with American Top Team. He already has the wrestling part down, but is getting coached on all the other aspects of MMA.

"Mixed martial arts is a sport. Mixed martial arts to me is boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, tae-kwon do. It's everything in one. There are very few rules," said Askren.

"The first time I saw Ben I was watching TV and he was getting his haircut and the kids tried to grab his hair. I was like who is that guy?" said Askren's coach Francisco France.

France is an expert at ju-jitsu.

"The first time I trained with him I saw the talent in him. I saw this guy could be really good," said France.

"Wrestling I have to win all the time at everything or else it's a let down. Here, I'm a beginner. If I don't do so great the first time, I get to do it again," Askren said.

Askren realizes there are a wrestling fans who feel like he has kicked them in the gut, but thinks there are just as many people anxious to see if one of America's best wrestlers can get it done in another ring.

"Fight fans, they're excited because they know I have potential. They know I'm unorthodox. They know I'm going to come to the ring and bring a hard fight and so I think they're excited to see that also," Askren said.

Askren's confidence rubs off. Now its his coach ready to make the promises.

"He's getting better everyday. You guys will see. When he trains two years in MMA, he's going to be a big name. I guarantee," said France.

Askren trains with France twice a day and a third time on his own.

He says he plans on making his MMA debut on February 7 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia.