A Miraculous Recovery
In an unexpected turn of events, wrestling icon and former MMA titleholder Ben Askren is preparing for a return to professional competition. Just one year after facing a critical health crisis that left him in a coma for 45 days and necessitated a double-lung transplant, Askren is ready to step back onto the mats.
The veteran announced his participation in Real American Freestyle (RAF) 11, scheduled for July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He will face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the event's co-main event, a date that coincides with Askren’s 42nd birthday.
The Motivation Behind the Comeback
Askren, who was the first athlete signed to the RAF promotion, admitted that the decision to compete was deeply personal. «Something spoke to me and said: ‘I need to wrestle on that,’» he shared during a recent media appearance. Following months of consistent coaching and steady training, he felt ready to test his limits once again.
Reflecting on his recovery, Askren noted that his physical condition had hit rock bottom. «It was probably only five or six months ago where I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded and struggling,» he recalled. However, his dedication to training has allowed him to regain his strength, leading him to seek a challenge rather than an easy path.
Selecting a Tough Opponent
Choosing Belal Muhammad as an opponent was a deliberate move to maintain the integrity of the sport. Askren emphasized that he had no interest in facing an inferior competitor:
«What is the point of competition? The point of competition is to see what we're capable of. If I know that person is really wimpy, then what's the point of competing against them?»
Askren explained that while he acknowledges he cannot compete with elite-level active wrestlers, he remains confident in his ability to test himself against high-quality opponents like Muhammad.
Medical Perspective and Future Outlook
Though his doctors were initially hesitant, Askren successfully convinced them that his current, consistent training regimen in the gym is comparable to the demands of a scheduled match. While he remains vigilant about health risks, particularly regarding germ exposure due to his transplant, he has received medical clearance to participate.
Despite this return, Askren clarified that this match will be a one-time celebration of his recovery and his passion for the sport. «I'm not wrestling again after. I'm going to do it once, and I'm going to enjoy it,» he stated. Moving forward, he plans to focus on his family, coaching, and supporting the growth of the RAF promotion.