Former U.S. Olympian and NCAA Division I national champion Ben Askren wrestled for the final time Saturday in an improbable return one year removed from double lung transplant surgery.
Askren, 42, lost 6-3 to former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of RAF 11 in Milwaukee. It was his first appearance in combat sports since his first-round knockout loss to Jake Paul in a 2021 boxing match.
Askren was unexpectedly hospitalized for pneumonia in 2025 before undergoing a double lung transplant. He led Muhammad 3-0 on Saturday before noticeably fatiguing in the final round.