Askren's Post-Transplant Finale
Ben Askren Announces Wrestling Retirement After Post-Transplant Comeback Loss
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Ben Askren has retired from competitive wrestling after losing to Belal Muhammad on his 42nd birthday. Reuters reported the match took place at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and was organized by Real American Freestyle.
The bout was Askren's comeback after a double lung transplant following a life-threatening battle with pneumonia last year. He entered the match healthy enough to compete — but made clear it would be his last.
A Birthday Comeback That Ended in Retirement
Askren chose his 42nd birthday to step back onto the wrestling mat. It was a dramatic setting for what he knew going in would be his final competitive appearance. The opponent was no easy mark — Belal Muhammad is a former UFC welterweight champion who also has a wrestling background.
Askren actually led the match 3-0 at one point, according to Reuters. But his legs faded, and Muhammad came back to win 6-3. After the loss, Askren announced his retirement from wrestling on the spot.
Double Lung Transplant Made the Return Remarkable
Askren's return to the mat was stunning given what he went through last year. He nearly died from severe pneumonia and had to undergo a double lung transplant to survive. That kind of surgery is life-changing — most people never return to elite sports afterward.
The fact that Askren competed at all — let alone led a match against a top-level athlete — was seen as a remarkable feat. His tired legs in the second half of the bout were a reminder of just how much his body has been through.
Askren's Long Career From Olympics to UFC
Askren had one of the most decorated careers in American wrestling before turning to MMA. He was a two-time NCAA champion and represented the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He later went undefeated in his early MMA career before joining the UFC.
He retired from MMA in 2019. His UFC run ended after a string of injuries and losses, but his wrestling credentials were never in doubt. This final match was a chance to close that chapter on the mat where it all started.
Muhammad Win Adds to His Post-UFC Highlight Reel
For Belal Muhammad, the win over Askren adds another notable result to his name. Muhammad won the UFC welterweight title and has now beaten a decorated Olympic wrestler in a freestyle match. The event was organized by Real American Freestyle, a newer wrestling promotion.
The match drew attention because of the crossover appeal — two fighters from the UFC world competing in a wrestling format. According to WSAU, the event was held at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, giving it a proper arena stage for Askren's farewell.
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