BEN ASKREN LOSES FINAL WRESTLING BOUT AGAINST BELAL MUHAMMAD

Ben Askren ended his wrestling career with a points defeat to Belal Muhammad on Saturday in a bout organised by Real American Freestyle. The fight took place on Askren's 42nd birthday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his home town. Askren came out of retirement for the one-off bout a year after suffering serious pneumonia complications that required a double lung transplant. He lost 6-3 to Muhammad in a mainly defensive performance and said afterwards that the loss marked his final time competing on the mat.

Askren underwent significant health challenges in the preceding year. He reported that he "died four times" during his illness and spent 37 days in a coma. His recovery included substantial weight loss, with his bodyweight dropping to 63 kilograms. After a year of rehabilitation, Askren said he had worked hard to return to competition, though he acknowledged physical limitations during the third round when his legs fatigued. He described the experience of recovery as difficult, noting periods when he could not feed himself or perform basic functions.

Muhammad, who defeated British fighter Leon Edwards to win the UFC welterweight title in 2024, praised Askren's return to competition. Muhammad said Askren had changed his life and described him as a legend for competing after his health crisis. The 38-year-old fighter remarked that Askren's comeback demonstrated the value of life and provided perspective on the demands of professional sport. Askren's three UFC fights took place in 2019, before his retirement from competition prior to this bout.