From Coma to Competition: Ben Askren Announces Return to Wrestling

One year ago, Ben Askren was in a medically induced coma. Today, he announced his return to wrestling competition.

Askren was placed in a coma for 45 days due to complications from a staph infection which led to necrotizing pneumonia, a severe condition that can be life-threatening. He flatlined four times, needed a double lung transplant, and woke up 50lbs lighter. When he was released, he had to completely rebuild his body and regain his strength.

On July 18th, Askren will face off against former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a freestyle wrestling match for RAF. This event is meaningful for Askren, a Wisconsin native, since it will take place in Milwaukee.

Naturally, the response has been cautiously optimistic for Askren. To return to competition at age 41, a year after nearly dying, is a lofty and potentially dangerous goal. But Askren has always done things his way.

In college, he developed his own wrestling style to combat opponents who were more physically gifted. This style gave him the nickname "Funky" which he parlayed into multiple NCAA championships.

After college, he realized he couldn't make a good enough living from wrestling, so he transitioned to MMA. He amassed an undefeated record en route to becoming Bellator welterweight champion. While Bellator champion, he openly feuded with Dana White. White famously said he would never sign Askren to the UFC. Lo and behold, Askren made his UFC debut in 2019, defeating Robbie Lawler.

Ben Askren has spent his entire career defying expectations and proving doubters wrong, and his comeback from the brink of death may be the most remarkable chapter yet. A man who flatlined four times and woke up with lungs that barely worked has no business competing at an elite level. And yet, here we are. Whether Askren wins or loses against Belal Muhammad on July 18th almost feels secondary to the larger story of a man who simply refused to stay down. If his career has taught us anything, it's that betting against Ben Askren is a losing proposition.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 3:48 PM.