Ben Askren set for first combat sports appearance since near-death experience

Approximately a year ago, Ben Askren came face-to-face with his mortality. This summer, he’ll make his return to active competition.

Askren will square off against Belal Muhammad at Real American Freestyle 11 on July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Askren initially announced the news on “"The Ariel Helwani Show,” and RAF later confirmed the booking via social media.

“I was the first signee for Real American Freestyle back in May of 2025 prior to all my issues,” Askren said. “I love wrestling. I love what they're doing. I've been back coaching for three months or so right now on regular practices….They told me that they were doing a show in Milwaukee — I asked them to come to Milwaukee because I knew we would knock it out of the park.

“But it was July 18, and it was my birthday and I thought something spoke to me and said I need to wrestle on that. So i've been doing my very best every single day to train and to get in shape and it's feeling really good. I’m in the wrestling room. I’m wrestling with the guys. I mean, not not super hard yet, but I’m doing things.”

Getting His Life Back

Last May, Askren was hospitalized with pneumonia and was placed on a ventilator as he came close to death on multiple occasions. He was ultimately