Just a year after battling a “severe” case of pneumonia which caused him to undergo a double lung transplant, Ben Askren is returning to competition.
Former UFC contender, decorated ex-Bellator champ and long-time freestyle wrestler Askren will compete as part of Real American Freestyle’s 11th event on July 18 at the Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Askren is scheduled to face off against former UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling bout.
“I was the first signee for Real American Freestyle back in May of 2025, prior to all my issues,” Askren said on Monday’s Ariel Helwani Show. “I love wrestling, I love what they’re doing. I’ve been back coaching for three or so months now … It was July 18, and it was my birthday. Something spoke to me and said, ‘I need to wrestle on that.'”
Askren saw the combat sports and wrestling worlds rally behind him as he fought off a life-threatening case of pneumonia last year. The sickness had caused him to be put on a ventilator briefly. After receiving the lung transplant, Askren said in a video that he had no memory of over a month of his life while sick.
He was thankful for the overwhelming support he felt while recovering, comparing it to the feeling of attending your own funeral.
Win or lose, Askren’s appearance next month should be a celebration of his resilience after his battle last year.
