Trending Now - Ben Askren Makes Comeback to Wrestling Post-lung Transplant

WHO:

ESPN - Ben Askren, 41, is a former U.S. Olympian and NCAA Division-I national champion.

MMA Fighting - Belal Muhammad is a former UFC welterweight champion.

MMA Fighting - Arman Tsarukyan is a UFC lightweight contender.

MMA Fighting - Colby Covington is a former UFC interim welterweight champion.

WHAT:

ESPN - Ben Askren is planning a return to wrestling after undergoing a double lung transplant.

ESPN - Askren will face Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 11.

MMA Fighting - The event will take place at Panther Arena in Milwaukee.

ESPN - Askren lost 50 pounds in a span of 45 days during his hospitalization.

WHERE:

ESPN - The wrestling match will occur at RAF 11 in Milwaukee.

MMA Fighting - The event will be held at Panther Arena in Milwaukee.

WHEN:

ESPN - The match is scheduled for July 18, which is also Askren's 42nd birthday.

ESPN - Askren was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2025 and received a double lung transplant after being on a ventilator in June.

WHY:

ESPN - Askren stated that the details of the RAF event prompted him to make a competitive return, saying, "Something spoke to me and I said, 'I need to wrestle on that.'"

HOW:

ESPN - Askren has been back coaching for three months on a regular basis since his recovery.

(UPDATED June 2, 2026 14:25 UTC)

Ben Askren, a former U.S. Olympian and NCAA Division-I national champion, is set to make a remarkable return to wrestling after undergoing a double lung transplant, and he'll face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a freestyle match at RAF 11. This exciting event is scheduled for July 18, coinciding with Askren's 42nd birthday, and will take place at Panther Arena in Milwaukee, where Askren has been coaching regularly for the past three months since his recovery. Remarkably, he lost 50 pounds in just 45 days during his hospitalization, and he expressed a strong desire to compete again, saying, "Something spoke to me and I said, 'I need to wrestle on that.'"