Ben Askren to retire after RAF 11 bout, one year on from double lung transplant

Ben Askren will compete for the final time at RAF 11 in Milwaukee this weekend, facing Belal Muhammad in the co-main event on his birthday — exactly one year after undergoing a double lung transplant that left his future in serious doubt.

Askren, a former UFC veteran and Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, was battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia last year when most observers assumed his competitive days were behind him. His recovery, which included returning to the wrestling mats at his training academy, set the stage for what he has now confirmed will be a farewell appearance.

“I don’t want to do any more matches. This is it for me,” Askren told MMA Fighting. “I never really even had the idea. I did encourage RAF to come to Milwaukee because we do have a strong wrestling base here… I knew we would sell a bunch of tickets. So, I said, ‘Hey guys, Milwaukee’s great in the summer; come to Milwaukee.’ And when they told me it was going to be on my birthday, something just said, ‘Ben, get out there and wrestle. It’s a year after your transplant. It’s your birthday; it’s your hometown. Go do it.’”

Currently serving as a commentator and ambassador for RAF, Askren had no initial intention of competing when he first pushed the promotion to bring an event to his hometown. The combination of the Milwaukee date, his birthday, and the one-year anniversary of his transplant ultimately changed his mind.

The bout against Muhammad carries a significance that goes well beyond the result. Regardless of the outcome, Askren’s return to competition after such a severe medical ordeal — and his decision to close his career in front of his home crowd — gives the occasion the weight of a genuine farewell.