Belal Muhammad Defeats Ben Askren 6-3 in RAF 11 Wrestling Return
Belal Muhammad defeated Ben Askren by a 6-3 score in the co-main event of RAF 11 on Saturday night in Milwaukee. The win came in Askren’s highly anticipated return to competition roughly one year after a double lung transplant and marked the end of the former UFC and NCAA champion’s career.
Askren, 42, competed out of Roufusport and was listed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Muhammad, 38, represented Valle Flow Striking and listed Chicago, Illinois, as his hometown under the Palestinian flag. The match unfolded under Real American Freestyle rules across three periods.
Askren built an early lead. He took the first period 1-0 and extended the advantage to 3-0 after the second period. Muhammad responded in the third period, scoring all six of his points while shutting out Askren to flip the final tally to 6-3. Muhammad also secured the only three takedowns of the contest.
The result carried weight far beyond the scoreboard. Askren had been critically ill in the hospital on what would have been his birthday the previous year, unable to walk or care for himself. His ability to step onto the mat at all represented a remarkable recovery. The crowd responded with strong support throughout the bout, treating the night as a celebration of resilience as much as a competitive match.
Muhammad entered a difficult position. He had publicly noted beforehand that the matchup offered little upside, predicting he would face boos whether he won or lost against a beloved veteran making a comeback. Still, he approached the contest with focus and capitalized when Askren pressed aggressively in the final period.
After the final whistle, Askren left his wrestling shoes on the mat in the traditional retirement gesture. The moment underscored that this appearance was intended as his final competitive outing. Family members, including his daughter, were present ringside to share the evening with him.
The performance illustrated both the limits and the possibilities of Askren’s return. He showed enough sharpness to control the opening periods and generate scoring opportunities. Yet the third-period collapse, combined with Muhammad’s three takedowns, highlighted the physical toll of the long recovery and the challenge of matching a younger, active welterweight over a full match.
For Muhammad the victory adds another chapter to his post-UFC path. The former welterweight champion continues competing outside the octagon while maintaining relevance through high-profile appearances. Beating a decorated wrestler like Askren, even in a specialized format, provides a tangible result on a card that featured several crossover names.
Askren’s night, by contrast, transcended the loss. The simple act of competing after such a severe health crisis resonated with fans and fighters alike. His decision to retire immediately afterward closed a career that included NCAA titles, a dominant ONE Championship run, and a brief but memorable UFC stint.
RAF 11 positioned the bout as a centerpiece of its card, pairing Askren’s story with other established combat sports figures. The promotion continues to attract names seeking pure wrestling tests outside traditional MMA structures. Saturday’s co-main delivered both competition and emotion in equal measure.
Looking ahead, Muhammad remains open to further RAF opportunities while Askren steps away on his own terms. The 6-3 decision settles the immediate result, yet the larger narrative centers on a fighter who refused to let a life-threatening illness define the end of his competitive journey.
