Askren set to fight a year after almost dying

Since his lung transplant, Ben Askren has been working as an ambassador, commentator and matchmaker for Real American Freestyle

>Former UFC fighter Ben Askren is set to complete a remarkable recovery by competing in a wrestling match on Saturday - a year after he almost died.

>The bout against ex-UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has been organised by Real American Freestyle (RAF) and will take place on Askren's 42nd birthday.

>Askren said he "died four times" last year after contracting a staph infection, external which developed into pneumonia and meant he had to have a double lung transplant on 28 June 2025.

>This time last year Askren had been in a coma for 37 days, had lost nearly a third of his bodyweight and weighed 63kg.

>He could not walk, speak or eat and said he had to "start over". He documented his recovery on social media.

>Askren said the fight, which takes place in his home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is "surreal".

>"A year ago today I was begging the nurses to let me go home for my birthday because I had been stuck in a hospital room for 50 or so days," he said.

>"They refused to let me go home because I couldn't stand up or go to the bathroom under my own power."

>The bout is on a card headlined by Colby Covington and Arman Tsarukyan, who are also former UFC fighters.

>Askren started out in wrestling before switching to MMA. He had three UFC fights before retiring in 2019.

>He lost a boxing fight with Jake Paul in 2021 and was the first wrestler signed by RAF in May 2025, before being sidelined.

>Askren said the Muhammad fight will be a one-off.

>"When RAF told me they were coming to Milwaukee on 18 July, which is my birthday and my home town, something spoke to me and said I need to wrestle," Askren said.

>"My perception on mortality and life has been changed significantly from the events in the last year.

>"I know this is some of these guys' lives and they're worried about winning and losing tomorrow.

>"I get to go wrestle. That's it for me. I am so happy."