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 combat sports.
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 combat sports.
Askren, nicknamed "Funky," carries a 19-2-0 professional record and last competed under the UFC banner before stepping away from the sport. The 180 cm orthodox wrestler from the United States trains out of Roufusport and built his reputation on relentless grappling, averaging 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He also generates a respectable 3.64 significant strikes per minute, connecting at 49 percent accuracy — numbers that suggest he remains a multidimensional threat despite his time away from competition.
Muhammad, who shares both a gym and a country with his incoming opponent, holds a 24-5-0 record and currently sits as the UFC welterweight champion. The 37-year-old, known as "Remember the Name," ranks sixth in the division and eighth pound-for-pound. Standing 180 cm with a 183 cm reach, he is one of the busier strikers in the weight class, landing 4.43 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy and adding 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes to his arsenal.
Why it matters
- Askren's return pits a former elite grappler against the reigning welterweight title holder, creating a high-profile stylistic contrast
- Both fighters train at Roufusport, adding an unusual teammate-versus-teammate dynamic to the matchup
- A competitive performance from Askren could shake up the welterweight landscape, while Muhammad faces a stern test of his championship credentials outside the traditional UFC framework
- The bout at RAF 11 gives the promotion a marquee attraction built around one of the division's most recognizable names coming back from retirement
