Just over a year after surviving a life-threatening medical ordeal, Ben Askren is ready to compete again. The former Olympian will face UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of RAF 11 this Saturday. The appearance marks Askren’s first wrestling match since undergoing a double-lung transplant in 2025 after a medical emergency left him hospitalized and in a coma.
Askren Reflects on Remarkable Recovery
As fight week approaches, Askren told MMA Fighting that he admits the events of the past year almost feel distant.
“It really is.”
“I’m almost to the point where it seems like a bad dream or something sometimes. I feel like I’m just me now… At points it does just seem like a terrible dream.”
Askren spent months rebuilding his strength after the transplant. He eventually returned to coaching at Askren Wrestling Academy and found his way back onto the mats, although competition was never part of the original plan.
Back on the Mat
The idea of wrestling again began to grow earlier this year when RAF announced an event in Milwaukee.
“It was probably something like I was coaching a private lesson and one of my kids was probably being a little too lippy or something.”
After testing himself in a practice match against one of his students, Askren realized he could still compete.
“So I wrestled him but my thought was funny because I don’t know if I can go six minutes… So I wrestled an uber conservative style, but I won the match.”
A Message Beyond Competition
Askren hopes his comeback can show others facing serious health challenges that life can still move forward.
“Your life absolutely changes forever but just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it can’t be great still.”
The 41-year-old says he continues to improve every week and believes there is still room for growth in his recovery.
When it comes to Saturday’s match with Muhammad, Askren is keeping the stakes in perspective.
“It’s just a wrestling match.”
While Askren plans to compete one final time in front of his hometown crowd, he says this will be the last match of his wrestling career.
“I don’t want to do anymore matches. This is it for me.”