Ben Askren admits double-lung transplant almost feels like a ‘bad dream’ now that he’s wrestling again just one year later
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren is returning to competitive wrestling just one year after undergoing a life-saving double-lung transplant. Despite lingering medical limitations, Askren describes his recovery as feeling like a bad dream and is preparing for a match against Belal Muhammad.
Why it matters
The story highlights the extreme physical resilience of professional athletes and the advancements in transplant recovery that allow individuals to return to high-impact sports.
It’s hard to believe that Ben Askren is returning for a wrestling match in RAF just barely one year removed from a near-death experience that ended with him receiving a double-lung transplant.
The one-time Olympian was hospitalized, and comatose for days, before doctors were finally able to save his life. He was barely recognizable when he first woke up and offered an update on his condition. That was June 2025 and now Askren sits just days away from facing Belal Muhammad in the RAF 11 co-main event.
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