Ali Akbar Rosady
Ben Askren, the celebrated former Olympic wrestler and mixed martial artist, is poised to make a significant return to combat sports, stepping onto the mat for a wrestling bout against top-ranked UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad. The highly anticipated co-main event of RAF 11 is scheduled for this Saturday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This marks Askren’s first competitive appearance over a year after undergoing a life-saving double lung transplant following a severe bout with pneumonia, an ordeal that nearly claimed his life and required nearly two months of hospitalization.
The gravity of Askren’s comeback has resonated throughout the combat sports community, including with Chael Sonnen, the color commentator for Real American Wrestling (RAF) who will be calling the action live. Sonnen, a former UFC title challenger and renowned grappler himself, expressed a complex mix of emotions regarding Askren’s return, acknowledging the inspirational aspect while also admitting to a degree of apprehension.
"It makes me uncomfortable," Sonnen stated to MMA Fighting during an appearance on the Fighters’ Only MMA Awards red carpet. He elaborated on his initial reaction, noting, "When I read about it, the response was supposed to be excitement. It was supposed to be inspirational, and I am getting there, by the way. It is exciting, it is inspirational, but I was uncomfortable at first." Sonnen’s sentiment reflects a widespread concern for Askren’s health and well-being, even as it underscores the remarkable nature of his recovery and decision to compete again.
Ben Askren, known colloquially as "Funky" for his unconventional yet highly effective wrestling style, boasts an illustrious career in amateur wrestling. A two-time NCAA Division I National Champion for the University of Missouri in 2006 and 2007, he also secured two Big 12 Conference titles. His amateur pedigree culminated in representing the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in freestyle wrestling. Transitioning to mixed martial arts, Askren remained undefeated for a significant portion of his career, capturing welterweight championships in both Bellator MMA and ONE Championship before a brief, high-profile stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He retired from MMA in 2019, only to face his most formidable opponent in the form of critical illness. His recovery from a double lung transplant, which occurred in late 2023, has been closely monitored, with Askren himself providing updates on his arduous journey back to health. Since its inception less than a year ago, Askren has also played an instrumental role behind the scenes as one of RAF’s matchmakers, contributing to the league’s mission to elevate professional wrestling.
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Sharing the mat with Askren at RAF 11 is Belal Muhammad, a prominent figure in the UFC’s welterweight division. Muhammad, nicknamed "Remember the Name," enters this wrestling contest as a highly-ranked contender in mixed martial arts, known for his relentless pace, strong striking, and ever-improving grappling. While primarily an MMA fighter, Muhammad possesses a solid wrestling base, which he frequently utilizes in his professional fights. This will be his second appearance under the RAF banner, having previously competed at RAF 4 last December, where he sustained a technical fall loss to NCAA champion David Carr. That prior experience highlights the significant challenge Muhammad faces when stepping into a pure wrestling environment against an opponent of Askren’s caliber.
Chael Sonnen was particularly vocal in his praise for Muhammad’s willingness to accept such a unique and high-stakes matchup. "I thought, what a stud Belal Muhammad is for taking this," Sonnen remarked. He emphasized the inherent risks for Muhammad, stating, "I don’t think very many people would have taken this risk, and Belal realized one thing, which is, if I don’t do this, Ben doesn’t get the opportunity, and that part of the story is not being told, and it deserves to be told." Sonnen’s comments underscore the sportsmanship and competitive spirit demonstrated by Muhammad, who, by agreeing to the bout, provides Askren with a platform for his remarkable comeback.
Sonnen further expressed his belief that Muhammad has often been unfairly portrayed by the media. "I think that Belal Muhammad has always gotten a bad shake in the media. I don’t think the media has ever been fair to him, and I think that he is every bit the star of this contest that Ben Askren is," Sonnen asserted. This perspective champions Muhammad’s standing in the combat sports landscape, positioning him not merely as an opponent but as a co-equal draw in a contest laden with narrative significance.
Real American Wrestling (RAF) is a relatively new promotion, established within the last year, with the explicit goal of showcasing high-level wrestling in a professional, fan-friendly format. The organization aims to bridge the gap between amateur wrestling and professional combat sports, offering wrestlers a platform to compete and generate income. RAF 11, streaming live on FOX Nation, will feature a card designed to highlight various aspects of wrestling, with the Askren vs. Muhammad bout serving as a pivotal attraction. While the specific ruleset for this match (e.g., folkstyle, freestyle) has not been explicitly detailed, RAF typically adheres to formats familiar to American collegiate wrestling, often with modifications to enhance spectator engagement.
The contest itself presents a compelling clash of narratives and skills. Askren, despite his unparalleled wrestling pedigree, enters the match with significant health considerations. The impact of a double lung transplant on an athlete’s cardiovascular endurance, strength, and overall resilience is profound. While Askren has diligently worked on his recovery, the intensity of live competition, especially against a formidable opponent like Muhammad, will be an ultimate test of his current physical capabilities. His signature "funky" style, characterized by unconventional holds, relentless scrambling, and suffocating top control, relies heavily on exceptional conditioning and instinct.
Muhammad, on the other hand, while not possessing Askren’s Olympic-level wrestling background, is a professional fighter at the peak of his career. His consistent performances in the UFC, including a recent six-fight winning streak, demonstrate his athletic prowess and competitive drive. His prior experience at RAF 4 against David Carr, an elite collegiate wrestler, provides valuable insight into the challenges he faces in pure wrestling. While he may lack Askren’s specific folkstyle mastery, Muhammad’s overall strength, conditioning, and competitive mindset, honed in the unforgiving environment of MMA, could prove advantageous, particularly if the match extends into later periods.
The co-main event at RAF 11 transcends a mere wrestling match; it embodies a testament to human resilience, a high-stakes competitive endeavor, and a platform for two prominent combat athletes. Ben Askren’s return symbolizes a triumph over adversity, inspiring many within and outside the sports world. Simultaneously, Belal Muhammad’s participation highlights the spirit of competition and mutual respect inherent in combat sports, as he steps up to provide the stage for Askren’s remarkable comeback while also pursuing his own athletic objectives within the burgeoning professional wrestling scene. All eyes will be on Milwaukee this Saturday as these two formidable athletes converge on the mat.
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