Ben Askren Beats Belal Muhammad

A Final Return at RAF 11

Ben Askren’s return to professional competition at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena served as a definitive conclusion to a career that nearly ended in tragedy. Competing on his 42nd birthday, the former Bellator and UFC welterweight champion faced off against current UFC standout Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling match under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner.

The match structure saw Askren take an early lead. However, Muhammad utilized a strong third period to secure a takedown and a reversal, ultimately overtaking Askren to win the match. Despite the loss, the atmosphere was described as a celebration of Askren’s survival rather than a traditional competitive rivalry.

Overcoming a Life-Threatening Health Crisis

The significance of the match was rooted in Askren’s medical history. Less than 13 months before the July 18 event, the athlete underwent a double lung transplant following complications from a staph infection that led to necrotizing pneumonia. The BBC reported that Askren spent 37 days in a coma and stated he died four times during the ordeal. His recovery involved losing nearly a third of his body weight before he was cleared to return to training.

“My legs gave out, they wouldn’t carry me any longer. For sure it’s my last time on the mat. I couldn’t find a better place to do this.”

Ben Askren, former UFC fighter

Askren, who first signed with RAF in May 2025 but was sidelined by his illness, had spent the months leading up to the bout coaching at his own wrestling academy.

Reflections from the Mat

Belal Muhammad, who holds the UFC welterweight title, approached the match with a sense of perspective regarding his opponent’s journey. Before the event, he acknowledged the difficulty of the matchup, noting that a victory over a man who had recently survived such a significant health crisis offered little for his own professional standing, while a loss would have been difficult to navigate. Following the match, Muhammad praised Askren’s resilience.

“He [Askren] came back from death, this guy’s a legend. He’s changing lives. I know, he changed my life. I’m at home ready to quit. I’m tired, I’m sore, all my losses, but I look at Ben still fighting every single day. It shows you man, life is precious. Go after it bro.”

Belal Muhammad, UFC welterweight champion

For Askren, the match was explicitly framed as a one-off performance. Having retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 following a record-setting knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal, and having previously competed in a boxing match against Jake Paul, Askren indicated that the RAF 11 appearance was his final competitive outing. He emphasized a commitment to his post-fighting life, stating that he intends to treat people well, work my ass off and try to make a difference in the world as he moves forward from his wrestling career.