Ben Askren to face Belal Muhammad in wrestling match at RAF 11

Ben Askren is stepping back onto the mat for the first time since undergoing a life-saving double lung transplant, set to face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 11 on July 18 in Milwaukee.

Askren, 41, carries a 19-2-0 record across his combat sports career and built his reputation as one of the most dominant grapplers in the sport. The five-foot-eleven orthodox fighter, who trains out of Roufusport, averaged an impressive 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes during his fighting career. His return to any form of competition less than a year after a double lung transplant makes this appearance remarkable by any measure.

Muhammad, nicknamed "Remember the Name," brings a 24-5-0 professional record into the wrestling bout and currently sits ranked sixth in the UFC welterweight division and eighth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 37-year-old American, also training out of Roufusport, held the UFC welterweight title before his ranking dropped to his current position. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Muhammad has shown solid grappling credentials of his own, averaging 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes in UFC competition.

The shared Roufusport affiliation adds an intriguing dynamic to the matchup, pitting two longtime teammates against each other in a format that moves away from striking entirely.

Why it matters

• Askren's return is one of the most compelling comeback stories in combat sports, coming directly after major surgery
• Muhammad is an active, elite-level UFC contender bringing legitimate wrestling credentials to the mat
• The freestyle wrestling format strips away striking, putting the outcome squarely in the hands of pure grappling ability
• Both men share the same gym, adding a personal layer to an already unusual contest