Former UFC fighter Ben Askren is returning to the wrestling mats one year after undergoing a double lung transplant.
Askren will face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 11 on July 18 in Milwaukee, the organization announced Monday.
It will serve as the co-main event, leading to the headlining match between Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington.
Askren, who will celebrate his 42nd birthday on the day of the event, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia in 2025. He was placed on a ventilator and ultimately underwent a life-saving double lung transplant in June that year.
Askren, a former U.S. Olympian and NCAA Division I national champion, said Monday on "The Ariel Helwani Show" that he's coming back to wrestling for just one match.
"I'm not wrestling again (after July 18)," Askren said. "I don't think so. I'm gonna do it once, and I'm gonna enjoy it, and then I'm gonna coach wrestling and enjoy my family and help RAF grow."
Askren was the first wrestler RAF signed before his illness.
The Wisconsin resident hasn't competed in any combat sport since a knockout loss to Jake Paul in a 2021 boxing match. He retired from MMA in 2019 following a three-fight stint in the UFC, during which he came close to title contention before losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Askren is a former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder.
