Askren retires after emotional wrestling return

Ben Askren closed out his athletic career on Saturday with a points defeat in a wrestling match against fellow former UFC fighter Belal Muhammad. The bout marked his return from retirement and took place on his 42nd birthday in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Askren nearly died from pneumonia last year, requiring a double lung transplant. He said he "died four times" and spent 37 days in a coma, losing nearly a third of his body weight down to 63 kg. Despite this, he recovered enough to promise himself one final fight.

Organized by Real American Freestyle (RAF), the match saw Askren primarily on the defensive, visibly fading in the third and final period as Muhammad won 6-3. Afterwards, Askren said: "My legs gave out, they wouldn't carry me any longer. For sure it's my last time on the mat. I couldn't find a better place to do this. I worked hard over the last year. It was tough. There were times I couldn't feed myself, I couldn't stand up or go to the bathroom. Every day I woke up and thanked God for the chance to do it just one more time."

Muhammad, who beat British fighter Leon Edwards to win the UFC welterweight title in 2024, praised Askren: "He came back from death, this guy's a legend. He's changing lives. I know, he changed my life. I'm at home ready to quit, but I look at Ben still fighting every single day. It shows you man, life is precious."

Elsewhere on Saturday, British fighter Christian Leroy Duncan earned his fifth straight UFC win with a unanimous decision over Jared Cannonier, improving his record to 15-2. In the PFL, rising British star Lewis McGrillen saw his four-fight win streak end as he lost to Rafael do Nascimento via rear naked choke, dropping to 12-2. Ireland's Caolan Loughran also lost to Julio Arce by decision, now 11-4.