Ali Akbar Rosady
Ben Askren, the celebrated former Olympian and mixed martial artist, is set to make an astonishing return to competitive wrestling this Saturday, barely one year removed from undergoing a life-saving double-lung transplant. The event, RAF 11, will see Askren face current UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad in the co-main event, a fixture that marks an extraordinary chapter in the athlete’s storied career and a testament to human resilience.
The journey leading to this improbable comeback began in June 2025, when Askren, a former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion known for his dominant wrestling prowess, was hospitalized under critical conditions. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to days in a coma as doctors fought to save his life. The severity of his illness necessitated a double-lung transplant, a complex and life-altering surgical procedure. Upon waking, Askren was reportedly barely recognizable, a stark indicator of the medical ordeal he had endured. At that time, the prospect of him ever returning to the high-intensity demands of professional sports seemed an unimaginable feat.
Now, just over a year later, Askren reflects on the harrowing experience with a sense of detachment. "It really is [crazy]," Askren told MMA Fighting, acknowledging the surreal nature of his recovery and return. "I’m almost to the point where it seems like a bad dream or something sometimes. I feel like I’m just me now." While he continues to manage his health with daily medication and acknowledges certain physical limitations, the athlete expressed a growing sense of normalcy. "At points it does just seem like a terrible dream," he reiterated, underscoring the mental as well as physical recovery he has undergone.
Askren’s physical transformation post-transplant has been profound, though observers might note little superficial difference from his days competing in the UFC. However, beneath the surface, his body has navigated a dramatic medical and rehabilitative process. Months were dedicated to intensive rehabilitation, during which simple acts like catching his breath presented significant challenges as his body adjusted to the transplanted organs and the new physiological reality. The immediate aftermath of an organ transplant typically involves a rigorous regimen of immunosuppressants to prevent rejection, coupled with a slow, careful reintroduction to physical activity, far removed from the rigors of combat sports.
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Despite the monumental hurdles, Askren’s characteristic tenacity never waned. His initial return to the wrestling world was not driven by competitive aspirations but by a familiar environment: coaching at his Askren Wrestling Academy. It was there, back on the mats, that the idea of competing again began to subtly germinate. The former Olympian recounted a lighthearted moment that sparked the thought. "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 – let me come whoop your ass for a second," Askren recalled with a laugh, describing how he might have spontaneously engaged in a casual roll.
The serious consideration of a comeback crystallized when RAF announced an event in his hometown of Milwaukee. "I remember when RAF told me they were coming to Milwaukee, something said I should wrestle in that," he explained. The pivotal test came in late March, during an odd-numbered private lesson group. "I’m like eff it, I’ll see if I can do a six-minute match," Askren recounted, challenging a 190-pound high school wrestler. Conscious of his physical state, he adopted an "uber conservative style," wary of his endurance. "My thought was funny because I don’t know if I can go six minutes. I might just fall over at four minutes or five minutes," he admitted. Despite the cautious approach, he secured the win, a small victory that ignited a larger ambition. "I was like fine, I’m not very good right now but within the course of training over the next three months, I can get a lot better."
The decision to compete was not made lightly and came with crucial medical clearance. Askren recently underwent his one-year post-transplant checkup, receiving positive news that further affirmed his progress. "Everything’s good," he reported, adding, "I got reduced on a lot of medicines, which I can feel my body changing from that." This reduction in immunosuppressant medication is a significant milestone, indicating stable organ function and reduced risk of rejection, further validating his remarkable recovery trajectory. Doctors’ approval for a high-intensity sport like wrestling underscores the unprecedented nature of his physical restoration.
Askren approaches this comeback with a deep sense of gratitude and a philosophical outlook on adversity. "Some would say it was a terrible event, and I would say of course it was terrible, that’s how life does it sometimes," he acknowledged. "I think a lot of positive things have came out of it. You can’t control anything that’s in the past so I don’t need to worry about it anymore. I just need to try to live the best life that I can." This perspective highlights a transformation beyond the physical, a mental fortitude honed by facing mortality.
Beyond personal achievement, Askren harbors a profound hope that his journey can serve as an inspiration for others facing similar life-altering challenges. "Your life absolutely changes forever but just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it can’t be great still," he articulated, stressing that he views his recovery as an ongoing process. "I’m a year out, and I’m going to continue to improve from here. I don’t think I’m anywhere near a final form." He likens his current state to "riding the bike to failure," constantly pushing boundaries and setting new personal bests. "Probably for the last 12 weeks, every single week I get better," he noted, projecting significant further improvement based on his pre-injury capabilities.
His message transcends the realm of sports, aiming to resonate with anyone confronting hardship. "Honestly that’s one of big messages that I’ve had that’s really resonated with people is everyone’s life is going to have struggles and adversity. Life’s hard," Askren stated. He posited that challenges are integral to a fulfilling life: "If you find a man without a challenge in his life, you’ll find a man who is wholly unfulfilled." This sentiment encapsulates the deeper meaning behind his return to the wrestling mat, transforming a personal comeback into a broader narrative of human potential.
The upcoming match against Belal Muhammad at RAF 11 carries unique implications for both competitors. Muhammad, a formidable UFC welterweight with an impressive professional record (23-5, 1 NC), including notable victories over top contenders, openly admitted to feeling a "lose-lose" scenario. A win for Muhammad, who is currently ranked highly in the UFC, might be perceived by some as simply beating someone returning from a severe health crisis, while a loss would be an even greater upset. This perception underscores the extraordinary context of Askren’s return.
Askren, however, approaches the contest with a different philosophy, advocating for a focus on the competition itself rather than external narratives or ego. "It’s just a wrestling match," he asserted, criticizing the notion that athletic prowess defines personal worth. "The idea that certain people whether it’s wrestling or fighting, act like I’m a better person than you because I can beat you in fighting? That’s so incredibly stupid and so incredibly counterproductive." He champions the freedom to pursue endeavors without fear of failure or public judgment, a lesson deeply reinforced by his transplant experience. "I need to do the things that I want to do in life and not worry about what the public says or the comments say or anything to that effect." For Muhammad, Askren offered a practical perspective: "Hey, if he beats me, he can say he beat an Olympian! I’m still an Olympian! Even though I had a double lung transplant, I’m still an Olympian."
Regardless of the outcome at RAF 11, Askren has declared this match to be his final competitive wrestling appearance. The circumstances surrounding this comeback were, in his view, too serendipitous to ignore. He had initially encouraged RAF to consider Milwaukee for an event, recognizing the strong local wrestling community and potential for ticket sales. The revelation that the event would fall on his birthday, almost exactly one year after his transplant, and in his hometown, created an irresistible confluence of factors. "Something just said ‘Ben, get out there and wrestle.’ It’s a year after your transplant, it’s your birthday, it’s in your hometown, go do it," he recounted, solidifying his decision to lace up his wrestling shoes one last time. This final match represents not just a personal triumph over adversity, but a symbolic closing chapter for one of wrestling’s most distinctive and successful figures.
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