Former UFC fighter Ben Askren made an emotional return to competition on Saturday, participating in a wrestling match one year after a life-threatening battle with pneumonia nearly ended his life.
Askren, 42, faced fellow former UFC fighter Belal Muhammad in a wrestling bout organized by Real American Freestyle (RAF) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Askren's birthday. The match marked the end of Askren's competitive career, with Muhammad winning by a score of 6-3.
"My legs gave out, they wouldn't carry me any longer," Askren told BBC Sport. "For sure it's my last time on the mat. I couldn't find a better place to do this."
Last summer, Askren experienced severe pneumonia, during which he "flatlined" four times and lost approximately 50 pounds. The ordeal necessitated a double lung transplant. He spent 37 days in a coma and 59 days in the hospital overall, at one point weighing just 63 kg (139 lbs).
"Every single day I wake up and thank God for the chance to do it one more time," Askren stated, reflecting on his recovery. "I promised I'm going to make the most of this day. I'm going to treat people well, work my ass off and try to make a difference in the world."
Muhammad acknowledged Askren's resilience, saying, "He came back from death, this guy's a legend. He's changing lives. I know, he changed my life. I'm at home ready to quit. I'm tired, I'm sore, all my losses, but I look at Ben still fighting every single day. It shows you man, life is precious. Go after it bro."
Askren's health crisis began in June 2025 with a staph infection that led to pneumonia. He was hospitalized in critical condition and placed on a ventilator. He has since made significant progress, noting earlier this year that he felt he had come to a point where he could manage daily tasks.
"I kind of died once, you know, like for all intents and purposes, left Earth for 40 days," Askren told TMZ. "I had no real communication to anyone. I had no recollection of anything. So I get to kind of reflect on like, okay, had I not woken back up? How do I feel about what I did prior to this time?"
Askren's athletic career includes success in collegiate wrestling, where he was a two-time NCAA Division I champion for the University of Missouri. He also competed in the 2008 Olympics and held an undefeated streak for a decade, winning titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before joining the UFC in 2019. His MMA career included a debut win over Robbie Lawler, followed by losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, after which he initially retired from MMA. He later competed in a boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021, losing by TKO.
Askren and his wife, Amy, married in 2010 and have three children: two daughters and a son. He has indicated that his recovery has changed his daily life, affecting his ability to attend his children's wrestling tournaments, but he expressed gratitude for being able to manage his daily responsibilities.
