The Milwaukee Miracle: A Birthday Farewell
MILWAUKEE (Azat TV) – In a display of physical resilience that defied medical expectations, Ben Askren, the former Olympian and multi-organization MMA champion, stepped onto the wrestling mat for the final time on Saturday night at RAF 11. The event, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, coincided with Askren’s 42nd birthday and served as the definitive conclusion to a career defined by unorthodox brilliance and an iron will. More than just a sporting contest, the match against Belal Muhammad represented a personal triumph for Askren, who underwent a double lung transplant only one year ago following a near-fatal bout with pneumonia in 2025.
The atmosphere at the arena was electric as Askren, a local hero and coaching fixture in Wisconsin, made his walk to the mat. For many in attendance and watching via Fox Nation, the primary narrative was not the outcome of the scoreboard, but the fact that Askren was standing at all. Having transitioned from the peak of athletic performance to a hospital bed requiring organ replacement, his return to elite-level competition—even for a one-off exhibition—was framed by commentators and peers as a “comeback from death.”
Match Analysis: Technique vs. Fatigue
The co-main event wrestling match pitted Askren’s legendary “funk” style against the active conditioning of former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Despite the massive health hurdles faced over the last 12 months, Askren displayed flashes of the technical mastery that earned him two NCAA Division I national championships and two Dan Hodge Trophies. In the opening period, Askren commanded the center of the mat, utilizing his superior positioning to force Muhammad onto the shot clock. He secured the first point of the match as Muhammad failed to score within the allotted time, ending the first round with a 1-0 lead.
The second period saw an even more aggressive Askren. He capitalized on a push-out at the edge of the mat, utilizing a whizzer to maintain control and extend his lead to 3-0. For several minutes, it appeared that the veteran might pull off an improbable shutout victory against a much younger, active fighter. However, as the third period commenced, the physiological reality of Askren’s condition began to manifest. The 42-year-old, competing with transplanted lungs, showed visible signs of heavy fatigue. Muhammad, sensing the shift in momentum, intensified his pace, scoring a double-leg takedown to close the gap. As the clock wound down, Muhammad secured a go-behind and additional points, ultimately sealing a 6-3 victory. A late-match challenge by Askren’s coaching staff via a thrown “brick” was unsuccessful, confirming Muhammad as the winner.
The Ritual of Retirement
The technical result of the match was quickly overshadowed by the post-fight proceedings. Following the official announcement, Askren engaged in the traditional wrestling ritual of retirement: unlacing his shoes and leaving them in the center of the mat. In an emotional interview with Chael Sonnen, Askren was candid about his physical limitations. “I get tired fast these days,” he admitted, acknowledging the toll the last year had taken on his body. “I worked hard as sh– in the last year. I promised God I would make the most of this day.”
Belal Muhammad, despite being the victor, used his post-match platform to pay homage to the man he once trained with. Leading the Milwaukee crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday,” Muhammad described Askren’s presence as an inspiration. “He came back from death. This should be a standing ovation,” Muhammad told the audience. The sentiment was echoed across social media by the wrestling and MMA communities, which have often viewed Askren as a polarizing figure but now largely united in respect for his recovery and his contributions to the sport’s technical evolution.
Institutional Context and Legacy
Askren’s departure marks the end of a “peculiar” and storied career. Though his brief UFC run is often remembered for a record-setting knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal and a subsequent loss to Jake Paul in boxing, his broader body of work remains foundational to modern grappling. As a champion in Bellator and ONE FC, Askren proved that a wrestling-centric approach could dominate high-level MMA. His “funk” style—characterized by scrambles, unorthodox flexibility, and a refusal to concede positions—redefined defensive wrestling for a generation of athletes.
The RAF 11 card also featured a high-stakes crossover title match in the main event, where Colby Covington defeated Arman Tsarukyan 5-3. Covington’s victory and subsequent call-outs of Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev signaled the continuing trend of high-level wrestling exhibitions serving as a bridge between active MMA careers and specialized grappling competition. However, for Askren, the bridge has reached its end. By leaving his shoes on the Milwaukee mat, he has signaled that his future lies in coaching and development rather than active competition, closing a chapter on one of the most resilient stories in contemporary combat sports.