Ben Askren is set to return to competition following a near-death hospitalization, booking a wrestling match against former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. The bout is scheduled for July 18 at RAF 11.
Ben Askren is making his return to competition on July 18 at RAF 11, stepping onto the wrestling mat against former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a bout that marks the 41-year-old's comeback following a near-death hospitalization.
Askren, nicknamed "Funky," carries a 19-2-0 combat sports record and built his reputation as one of the most dominant grapplers of his generation. The 180-centimeter, 180-kilogram-class fighter out of Roufusport averaged an imposing 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, a number that underscores why a return to pure wrestling is a natural fit. His striking accuracy sat at 49 percent, and he landed 3.64 significant strikes per minute during his fighting career.
Muhammad, also 37 and also representing Roufusport, arrives as the sixth-ranked UFC welterweight and the eighth-ranked fighter on the pound-for-pound ladder — credentials that reflect how far he has traveled since Askren last competed. The Chicago native holds a 24-5-0 professional record, averages 4.43 significant strikes landed per minute, and brings a 72-inch reach into the matchup. His takedown volume of 2.14 per 15 minutes is respectable for an MMA context, though considerably lower than Askren's career average.
Why it matters
- Askren's return comes after a serious health scare, making the competitive comeback itself a significant storyline
- Both fighters share the same Roufusport home, turning the bout into an intriguing teammate matchup
- The wrestling format strips away striking and submissions, placing Askren's elite grappling credentials directly against Muhammad's mixed-discipline skillset
- With Muhammad sitting at number six in the UFC welterweight division, the event carries crossover visibility between the wrestling and MMA audiences
