"The idea that people would think he is afraid means more to him than going out there and fighting him and taking the chance."
"Especially when there's a real possibility that he just outclasses Tom Aspinall. You don't know."
"I think that he will fight him. I don't think they'll need to strip him, I think he'll fight him."
"The idea that he ran is going to be too strong of a pull for him as he goes into the next phase of his career."
In a discussion about a fighter's career decisions, Ben Askren articulates the internal conflicts athletes face regarding reputation and fear of failure. He suggests that the thought of being perceived as afraid can be a greater motivating factor than the actual competition itself. Askren believes that despite the risks, the fighter is likely to challenge a formidable opponent like Tom Aspinall. He argues that maintaining a champion's image outweighs the potential fallout from losing, emphasizing the psychological aspects of a fighter's choice to engage or withdraw from a fight.
Read at Sherdog
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