Former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren is set to return to combat sports less than a year after undergoing a double lung transplant that left him on life support. On July 18-his 42nd birthday-Askren will face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a wrestling match at Real American Freestyle 11 in Milwaukee, an event co-founded by the late Hulk Hogan.
Last June, Askren developed severe pneumonia, was placed on a ventilator and ECMO, and was put on the transplant list on June 24. He received a donor organ days later. Askren later said he doesn't remember anything from May 28 to July 2 and "only died four times," losing 50 pounds during his 59-day hospital stay. Following the ordeal, Askren said he turned to Christianity. Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington will also compete on the card. Askren retired from MMA in 2019 with a 19-2 record. In 2021, he fought Jake Paul in a boxing match.