He nearly died a year ago. Now Ben Askren gets one more chance to wrestle
Ben Askren has officially retired from professional competition following his final wrestling match at RAF 11.
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The brief
Ben Askren competed in his final wrestling match at RAF 11, where he was defeated by Belal Muhammad. This appearance marked a return to the mat one year after a hospitalization caused by pneumonia that required a lung transplant in 2025.
Reports characterize the match as a definitive conclusion to his professional athletic career. Future developments regarding Askren's post-retirement plans remain unstated.
Coverage does not yet specify his next professional focus beyond this final match.
Synthesized by headlinez.news from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: unsupported claims removed (83% supported) Updated 2h ago.
Quick answers
What was the outcome of the match?
Belal Muhammad defeated Ben Askren at the RAF 11 event.
Why was the match considered significant?
It served as Askren's final match one year after he experienced a life-threatening bout of pneumonia and a lung transplant.
Is Ben Askren still active in professional sports?
No, reports confirm he has officially retired following the RAF 11 match.
Coverage (9)
- Ben Askren makes 1-match return to wrestling after nearly dying Yahoo · 1d ago
- Video: Emotional Ben Askren retires after odds-defying RAF 11 match MMA Junkie · 1d ago
- RAF 11 Results: Belal Muhammad outworks Ben Askren in Askren’s final match MMA Fighting · 1d ago
- Askren returns to mat after '25 lung transplant, loses at RAF 11 ESPN · 1d ago
- Ben Askren Returning to the Mat for a Final Time One Year After Lengthy Hospitalization with ‘Deathly’ Pneumonia (Exclusive) People.com · 1d ago
- Askren gears up for final wrestling match Greater Milwaukee Today · 1d ago
- Ben Askren set for wrestling match a year after almost dying BBC · 1d ago
- RAF 11 live blog: Ben Askren vs. Belal Muhammad MMA Fighting · 1d ago
- He nearly died a year ago. Now Ben Askren gets one more chance to wrestle Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · 1d ago
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