Ben Askren, man. You know the name. He stepped off the mat for the final time this past Saturday at RAF 11, but the real story? It’s not about the 6-3 loss to his former teammate. It’s about how this guy literally died a little over a year ago, came back, and then defied every single odd to compete in a high-level wrestling match again, ending his career on his own terms.
The “Loss” That Felt Like a Win
Saturday’s match wasn’t just another bout for the 42-year-old Askren. It was billed as an “odds-defying” return to the mats after an unthinkable health scare. He stepped into the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, right in his home region, facing off against Belal Muhammad, an ex-UFC welterweight champion and someone he knows well. Askren came up short, 6-3, on the scoreboard. But forget the numbers for a second. From the moment he walked out to the very end, Askren was absolutely showered with love from the fans, his friends, and his family. The dude was overjoyed with the experience, even in defeat. You could tell just being there, under those lights, was a monumental victory for him.
Back From the Brink
How “odds-defying” was this comeback, really? Flash back to June 2025. Askren found himself on his deathbed after a nasty staph infection spiraled into a serious case of pneumonia. We’re talking induced coma and a double lung transplant just to keep him alive. He’d already retired from mixed martial arts competition previously, so to see him even consider stepping back onto a wrestling mat, let alone at a high-level event like RAF 11, is mind-blowing. It speaks volumes about his grit and just how much the sport means to him, especially after what his body went through.
“It’s For Sure My Last Time on the Mat”
After the match, Askren poured his heart out, and his words hit different. He admitted his lungs hurt and his legs gave out in the third period, just couldn’t carry him any longer. “It’s for sure my last time on the mat,” he said, leaving his wrestling shoes center mat in a wrestler’s official farewell. He looked out at everyone and said, “I love you guys. I really do. … I couldn’t find a better place to do this.” Then came the truly raw stuff: “I worked as hard as sh*t in the last year. It was tough. There was tough where I couldn’t feed myself. I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t go to the bathroom. Every single day I woke up and thanked God for the chance to do it one more time. I promised God, ‘I’m going to make the most of this day.’ I’m going to treat people well. I’m going to work my ass off and I’m going to try to make a difference in the world. I love you guys.”
You talk about perspective, man. Askren gave us a masterclass. He came back from the literal brink, fought one more time, lost on paper, but won everything that truly mattered. That’s a story that transcends sports, something to carry with you. What an absolute legend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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