No one can ever say that Askren doesn't have huge balls... Fights a top 5 killer (and former champ) in his UFC debut.
Compare other big name signings debuts:
Conor McGregor - 7-7 Marcus Brimage
Khabib - 9-5 Kamal Shalorus
Gaedjthe - Michael Johnson (Who at the time they fought had recently fallen out of the top 10)
Pettis - Got Guida for his first fight (Guida at the time was on the cusp of top 10)
And then goes into a wrestling match with the odds stacked heavily against him. He is fighting at his walking around weight which is 184 pounds. Compare that to a guy like Woodley who walks around at 210. Hell Lawler, walks around north of 200 pounds as well.