Full Breakdown
Ben Askren’s Final Return: Wrestling Comeback After Double-Lung Transplant Ends in Retirement
7/19/2026, 8:48:22 PM
The Comeback Match
On July 18, 2026, former Olympic wrestler and mixed-martial-arts champion Ben Askren stepped onto the mat at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena for a grappling bout against former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Organized by Real American Freestyle (RAF), the co-main event of RAF 11 ended with Muhammad winning a 6-3 decision. Askren opened the contest with a 3-0 lead, but fatigue set in during the third period, allowing Muhammad to take control and secure the victory. The match also marked Askren’s 42nd birthday and his announced retirement from competitive wrestling.
Health Crisis and Recovery
Askren’s return came after a life-threatening bout with severe pneumonia that led to respiratory failure. He underwent a double-lung transplant and spent 40 days in a medically induced coma before regaining consciousness. Sources differ on the transplant year—some cite 2024, others 2025—and on the exact coma length, reporting 37 days in one account. The illness caused a ?33 % loss of body weight, leaving him at 63 kg for the July bout. Throughout 2025-2026 he faced additional hospital readmissions for possible infection and chest-tube monitoring, yet continued to update fans on his progress.
Key Figures
- Ben Askren – 42-year-old two-time NCAA champion, 2008 Olympian, former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion, brief UFC stint (2018-2019).
- Belal Muhammad – 38-year-old UFC welterweight contender, UFC welterweight title holder in 2024, recent loss to Gabriel Bonfim before RAF 11.
- Real American Freestyle (RAF) – promotion that staged the comeback event.
Numbers on the Night
- Age: Askren 42; Muhammad 38.
- Weight: Askren 63 kg (down nearly a third from pre-illness weight).
- Score: Muhammad 6, Askren 3.
- Early lead: Askren 3-0 before fading.
Why It Matters
Askren’s appearance illustrates the limits of post-transplant athletic performance and provides a high-profile example of recovery after organ transplantation. His public gratitude and retirement speech have resonated with fans and fellow athletes, highlighting issues of health resilience, mental fortitude, and the role of faith in elite sport.
Official Statements & Responses
Askren announced that the bout would be his “last time on the mat,” emphasizing daily gratitude and a vow to “work my ass off and try to make a difference in the world.” Muhammad praised Askren as a “legend” whose perseverance “changes lives.” UFC veteran Chael Sonnen, interviewing Askren after the match, called the comeback “pure hell” but lauded his determination to live fully.
Criticism & Opposition
No organized criticism of the event or Askren’s decision to compete was reported in the available sources.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Transplant year: Some outlets state the double-lung transplant occurred in 2024, while others place it in 2025.
- Coma duration: Reported lengths vary between 37 days and 40 days.
- Future plans: No timeline for additional grappling appearances has been announced.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I get tired fast these days,” — Ben Askren
- “My legs gave out, they wouldn't carry me any longer,” — Ben Askren
- “For sure it's my last time on the mat. I couldn't find a better place to do this.” — Ben Askren
- “He [Askren] came back from death, this guy's a legend.” — Belal Muhammad
- “Every day I woke up and thanked God for the chance to do it just one more time.” — Ben Askren
