Ben Askren Loses 6-3 in Final Wrestling Match 1 Year After Double Lung Transplant
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 19
Ben Askren Loses 6-3 in Final Wrestling Match 1 Year After Double Lung Transplant
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 19
Summary
RAF 11 in Milwaukee saw Ben Askren return to competition one year after a double lung transplant, then lose 6-3 to Belal Muhammad in what he said was his final wrestling match.
Askren opened with a 3-0 lead but faded in the last round, later saying he now tires quickly after spending the past year working for one more chance to compete.
The 42-year-old former U.S. Olympian had not appeared in combat sports since a 2021 first-round boxing knockout loss to Jake Paul and was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2025 before the transplant.
Leaving his shoes on the mat, Askren signaled the likely end of a career that included NCAA and Olympic wrestling credentials, Bellator and One FC titles, and a brief UFC run.