Ben Askren is returning to competition for a one-time freestyle wrestling bout against Belal Muhammad at RAF 11 on July 18. Askren has made clear the appearance will be a one-off, stating he has no plans to compete again after this match. He intends to focus on coaching, teaching wrestling, spending time with his family, and supporting the growth of the RAF league.
Ben Askren is coming out of retirement — at least for one night — to face Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 11 on July 18.
Askren, 41, holds a 19-2-0 professional MMA record and built his career reputation as one of the most dominant wrestlers in the sport. The American, who trains out of Roufusport, averaged 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes during his MMA career and has been emphatic that this RAF appearance is a singular event. He has stated publicly that he has no plans to compete again after this match, with his focus shifting toward coaching, teaching wrestling, time with family, and supporting the RAF league's continued growth.
Muhammad, nicknamed "Remember the Name," is a 37-year-old welterweight currently ranked sixth in his division and eighth on the pound-for-pound list. He carries a 24-5-0 record and is also affiliated with Roufusport, meaning the two share the same gym. Despite his MMA credentials — including a striking output of 4.43 significant strikes per minute — Muhammad will be stepping onto Askren's turf for this contest, competing under freestyle wrestling rules rather than mixed martial arts.
Why it matters
- Askren is widely regarded as one of the elite wrestlers to compete in MMA, making this a genuine stylistic test for Muhammad on the mat
- Muhammad's divisional ranking at welterweight gives the crossover bout added visibility within the MMA community
- The shared Roufusport affiliation adds an intriguing training-partners-turned-competitors dynamic
- Askren's stated retirement from competition after this event frames it as a rare, final look at one of wrestling's most celebrated MMA exports
