Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

Olympian Ben Askren has officially made the jump to mixed martial arts and is expected to make his debut in early 2009 after joining the vaunted American Top Team stable of fighters.

Askren was a two-time NCAA wrestling champion and a four-time All-American at the University of Missouri, and ended his collegiate career with an 87-match winning streak. As the result of his two straight undefeated seasons, Askren became only the second man to capture the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's outstanding collegiate wrestler more than once (Iowa State's Cael Sanderson was the other).

The four-time All-American began flirting with MMA during his time at Missouri, taking jiu-jitsu lessons and briefly considering skipping an Olympic run in favor of a professional fighting career. But in the summer of 2008, Askren won his division at the U.S. Olympic Trials and earned a spot at the Beijing games.

Considered a potential medal contender, Askren lost in the quarterfinals.

With his unorthodox, free-wheeling wrestling style, Askren has long been considered a promising prospect in MMA circles.

"Obviously his pedigree and his base is tremendous," said American Top Team general manager Richie Guerriero. "Not only his wrestling base, but his work ethic, his history of competition and mental mindset. He brings more than just a wrestling base to the sport. It's not something you can teach. He's been a competitive athlete since a kid, and the mental aspect is a big part of the sport of MMA."

Askren's affiliation with ATT came about during his time at Missouri. The renowned academy, which is based in Coconut Creek, Fla., has a school in Columbia, Mo. Askren spent time there training jiu-jitsu, and would often return the favor, helping ATT fighters improve upon their wrestling.

Askren is currently a wrestling instructor at ATT-Columbia and has progressed to a purple belt level in jiu-jitsu. He will fight as a welterweight in MMA, and is expected to make his professional debut as early as January 2009. It will likely take place in a small, regional promotion.

For training, Askren will bounce between the Columbia and Coconut Creek schools, taking advantage of the main school's world class instructors, including 1976 Olympic boxing champion Howard Davis.

Askren has not ruled out another run at the Olypmics in 2012, according to Guerriero. Askren becomes the second major Olympian to announce their MMA intentions in the last week. Japanese judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii is also planning to fight professionally.

American Top Team is considered one of the MMA world's elite fight schools, boasting such fighters as UFC welterweight contender Thiago Alves, unbeaten light-heavyweight Thiago Silva and international lightweight Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante.

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