Ben Askren Officially Retires

Ben Askren made his return to the mat at Real American Freestyle on July 18.

Askren faced Belal Muhammad, losing 6-3 after leading 3-0 going into the final round.

After the match was over, Askren took his wrestling shoes off and left them on the mat.

Ben Askren walks out at RAF11 👏

Watch live on @foxnation pic.twitter.com/FqBrKjtr7n

— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) July 19, 2026

Askren was the first fighter signed to RAF, but had to undergo a double lung transplant after suffering severe pneumonia in June 2025.

After the transplant, Askren said he didn’t remember anything from the month of June, but read everything in his wife Amy’s journal. He said he “only died four times” and that his heart stopped for 20 seconds, joking that “wasn’t ideal.”

Askren said he lost 50 pounds and was down to 147 pounds, which is a weight he hasn’t been at since he was 15. Askren fought at 170 pounds during his MMA career.

Ben Askren was an NCAA champion in 2006 and 2007 in freestyle wrestling, and a gold medalist at the World Championships in 2009.