Ben Askren is coming out of retirement to face UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at RAF 11. The matchup marks Askren's return to competitive action.
Ben Askren is coming out of retirement to face UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at RAF 11, marking the 41-year-old's return to competitive mixed martial arts.
Askren, nicknamed "Funky," compiled a 19-2-0 record across his professional career before stepping away from the sport. The 180-centimeter American, who trains out of Roufusport, built his reputation as one of the most suffocating wrestlers in welterweight history. His numbers back that up — he averaged 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes and landed significant strikes at a rate of 3.64 per minute with 49 percent accuracy. Now 41, he returns to face arguably the toughest possible opponent in the division.
Muhammad, also known as "Remember the Name," enters this contest as the reigning UFC welterweight champion with a 24-5-0 record. The 37-year-old Chicago native is currently ranked sixth in the division and eighth pound-for-pound, reflecting a remarkable rise through the welterweight ranks. Also out of Roufusport, Muhammad stands 180 centimeters tall with a 183-centimeter reach and has developed into a high-volume striker, averaging 4.43 significant strikes per minute. He is also a capable grappler, averaging 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Askren has been out of competition for years and returns at 41 against an active world champion, making the ring rust factor significant.
- Muhammad defending his title against a celebrated former welterweight name raises the profile of RAF 11 considerably.
- The style matchup is intriguing — Askren's elite wrestling background meets a champion who has shown he can neutralize takedowns and grind out opponents.
- Both men share the same gym in Roufusport, adding an unusual dynamic to what is already a headline-level bout.
