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.
Ben Askren has announced that a grappling match against Belal Muhammad will mark the final competitive appearance of his career, confirming to journalist Ariel Helwani that he has no plans to compete again once the bout is complete.
Askren, 41, carries a 19-2-0 record and built his reputation as one of the most technically accomplished wrestlers in mixed martial arts history. The orthodox welterweight stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach and trains out of Roufusport. He acknowledged to Helwani that his physical conditioning has dropped considerably from his peak, but insisted his technical wrestling ability remains sharp, adding that he has been training daily in preparation. He was candid about his motivations, saying he deliberately sought a difficult opponent rather than the kind of comfortable matchup he suggested some RAF competitors prefer. Once the match is over, Askren intends to shift his full attention to coaching, teaching wrestling, and contributing to the development of the RAF league.
Standing across from him will be Belal Muhammad, a man who needs no soft opponent himself. The 37-year-old is currently ranked sixth in the UFC welterweight division and eighth in the pound-for-pound rankings, carrying a 24-5-0 professional record. Also training out of Roufusport, Muhammad is five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. In MMA competition he has averaged 4.43 significant strikes landed per minute and 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded and credible test on the mat.
Why it matters
- Askren has framed this explicitly as a farewell, giving the match a definitive stakes beyond the grappling result itself
- Muhammad's ranking and all-around skill set means Askren faces genuine competitive resistance in what he calls his final appearance
- The bout adds visibility to the RAF league, which Askren has indicated he wants to support long-term through coaching and promotion
