Ben Askren and Belal Muhammad came face to face at the RAF 11 faceoffs, one year after Askren's widely reported resuscitation. The faceoff marks a notable moment for Askren as he steps back into the combat sports spotlight.
Ben Askren stepped back into the combat sports spotlight on July 17, 2026, coming face to face with Belal Muhammad at the RAF 11 faceoffs — a moment made all the more striking given Askren's widely reported resuscitation roughly a year prior.
Askren, 41, carries a 19-2-0 professional record and built his reputation as one of the most relentless wrestlers in welterweight history. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox fighter out of Roufusport averaged 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, a figure that underscores just how dominant his grappling game has been. He also posts a striking accuracy of 49 percent, landing 3.64 significant strikes per minute — numbers that paint a picture of a fighter who controls fights more than he chases them.
Muhammad, also 41 years his junior at 38, is an active and ranked presence in the welterweight division. Sitting sixth in the divisional rankings and eighth in the pound-for-pound standings, "Remember the Name" holds a 24-5-0 record and trains out of the same Roufusport gym as Askren. The Chicago native stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and outputs 4.43 significant strikes per minute, though his striking accuracy sits at 43 percent. He averages 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes, signaling a well-rounded approach that leans on volume and positional control.
Why it matters
- Askren's appearance at RAF 11 marks his return to the combat sports public eye following a serious medical event
- Muhammad is a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter, making any shared platform with him a significant moment
- Both fighters share the same camp, Roufusport, adding an unusual dynamic to the faceoff
- The welterweight division's stakes surrounding Muhammad remain high given his current rankings position
