Ben Askren loses match but wins the weekend with viral moment

Fight week produced plenty of headlines across MMA — from Dricus Du Plessis’ dominant outing to Johnny Eblen’s interim title run — but the moment that stopped people in their tracks came from a wrestling mat, not an octagon. At Real American Freestyle’s RAF 11 in Milwaukee, Ben Askren returned to the sport that made him famous for one more competitive walk, and the crowd treated it like a victory lap for a life reclaimed.

The co-main event between Askren and Belal Muhammad was less about a scoreboard and more about a story of recovery. After a year in which Askren nearly didn’t survive a severe infection, the match at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee felt like a public reckoning: a reminder of the wrestler he was, the fighter he became, and the person who refused to disappear.

Ben Askren’s comeback after a life-threatening illness

Askren’s return to the mat carried a medical backstory that reads like something out of a medical journal. In early June 2025, a staph infection developed into critical pneumonia. The illness progressed to the point that he required a double lung transplant, and he reportedly flatlined multiple times during his hospital stay. His release from the hospital about a year ago was the first major milestone in a recovery many considered unlikely.

That silver lining — being able to stand, train, and compete again — is what drew attention more than any final score. For fans and teammates watching in Milwaukee, Askren’s mere presence on the mat was evidence of how far he’d come.

RAF 11 in Milwaukee: a hometown stage for a veteran’s return

The event took place at UW–Milwaukee’s Panther Arena, where the atmosphere felt less like a competitive meet and more like a reunion. Real American Freestyle has become a platform for elite wrestlers and veterans to test themselves; RAF 11 added a sentimental chapter when Askren, the Wisconsin native, stepped out for his final competitive entrance in front of a home crowd.

• Venue: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Panther Arena
• Event: Real American Freestyle (RAF 11)
• Match: Ben Askren vs. Belal Muhammad (co-main)

From college legends to international mats: the careers that led here

Askren’s resume has long bridged amateur wrestling and professional combat sports. In the 2000s at the University of Missouri, he became a two-time NCAA champion and claimed multiple Big 12 titles. Those collegiate credentials propelled him to the U.S. national wrestling team, international competition and eventually a transition into MMA where his grappling dominated.

Key career achievements for Askren and Muhammad

• Ben Askren: two-time NCAA champion, Pan-American champion, 2008 Olympian, 2009 World Grappling Championships gold medalist, Bellator and ONE welterweight champion, three-fight stint with the UFC, and a pro boxing bout in 2021.
• Belal Muhammad: former UFC welterweight champion, long-time top contender and training partner to Askren during their formative years.

Askren vs. Muhammad: a match rooted in history and respect

The two men know each other well. Muhammad, a former UFC titleholder, trained with Askren when both were emerging as pros. That shared past added a layer of respect to the contest — this wasn’t a grudge match so much as two veterans reconnecting in competitive shape.

Muhammad entered the bout with recent struggles in the UFC, having dropped three consecutive fights since relinquishing the 170-pound title. For Askren, the stakes were different: not a title, but a final opportunity to step on the mat and be cheered by the community that raised him.

How the contest played out: scoring, tactics, and turning points

The match unfolded under freestyle wrestling rules, with three timed periods deciding the outcome. Askren opened with measured grappling and used the shot clock to his advantage early on; when Muhammad failed to put points on the board before time ran out, Askren picked up a score.

• Period 1: Quiet grappling; Askren awarded a point via the shot clock.
• Period 2: Askren defended several takedown attempts and forced Muhammad out of bounds twice, adding two more points and carrying a 3–0 lead into the final period.
• Period 3: Muhammad rallied with a double-leg takedown and two “go-behind” maneuvers, each worth two points, swinging the scoreboard to a 6–3 comeback win for Muhammad.

Despite trailing for much of the bout, Muhammad’s late surge underlined the match’s competitive integrity. Still, the larger narrative of the night belonged to Askren’s recovery and courage to compete again.

What the night meant beyond the result

Askren didn’t need the official victory to make an impression. For many in the arena, the most powerful image came when he took off his wrestling shoes and left them on the mat — a symbolic gesture that felt both like an homage to his roots and a public acknowledgment of the journey he’d survived.

Beyond wins and losses, this evening celebrated survival. Askren’s comeback was a reminder that some battles are fought inside hospital rooms as much as on the mat. The applause, the hugs, the presence of family and friends in the crowd turned the match into a communal moment: a showcase of perseverance, a salute from fans, and a rare athletic story where life itself was the real victory.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.