Ben Askren says grappling match with Belal Muhammad will be his final competitive appearance

Ben Askren has confirmed that his upcoming grappling match against Belal Muhammad will be a one-time competitive return, with no plans to compete again afterward. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Askren said he deliberately sought a tough opponent and is not interested in taking easy matches the way some RAF competitors do. He noted his technical wrestling skills remain high despite a significant drop in physical conditioning, and that he has been training daily to prepare. After the match, Askren plans to focus on coaching, teaching wrestling, and supporting the growth of the RAF league.