Ben Askren retires from wrestling after miraculous comeback at RAF 11

Ben “Funky” Askren won just by showing up and toeing the line at RAF 11 in Milwaukee Saturday night. Whether he won or lost prior to his retirement didn’t matter. However, Askren held former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad to a 6-3 decision, falling just short in their co-main event. Muhammad will wrestle newly crowned crossover-cruiserweight champion Colby Covington at RAF 12 next month. It was an emotional scene seeing Askren walk out of the tunnel during his introduction. It was topped only by his exit interview with Chael Sonnen and Askren left his shoes on the mat, the wrestling sign of retirement. “Everyone asked about my legacy, and I don’t like thinking about it, but if I can give some words of wisdom, it’s that I worked hard as shit in the last year,” Askren said. “It was tough. There were times I couldn’t feed myself, I couldn’t stand up, I couldn’t go to the bathroom, and every single day I woke up and I thank God for the chance to do it just one more time. And 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.” Now he’ll walk off into the sunset after somehow making it back to the mat. Askren will still serve as a rules analyst for RAF and continue his coaching at the Askren Wrestling Academy. Ben Askren retires from wrestling following Real American Freestyle 11 Askren, a Missouri legend, underwent a double lung transplant last summer and was legally pronounced dead multiple times, according to his medical updates released on social media last year. A severe staph infection caused him to be hospitalized and it was a miracle that he survived and was able to return to normal function. A two-time NCAA champion, Askren is one of the best collegiate wrestlers of the last 25 years. He was a four-time finalist for Missouri from 2004-07, winning the latter two titles. At the senior level, Askren won the 2008 Olympic Trials at 74 KG and represented Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He went 1-1 at the tournament and did not medal. Real American Freestyle is streamed exclusively on FOX Nation. Fans and viewers can watch HERE. After not placing at the 2010 World Team Trials, Askren fully transitioned into MMA. Following three fights on the regional scene, Askren was signed by Bellator and proceeded to win the welterweight belt and remained undefeated in his time with the promotion. He then signed with ONE FC, going 6-0 with one no-contest and was the welterweight champion. Although past his prime and initially retired, Askren returned to mixed martial arts in March of 2019 with the UFC and defeated former champion Robbie Lawler by submission in his debut, getting to 19-0 in his career. However, he would lose to Jorge Masvidal in a would-be title eliminator to challenge Kamaru Usman for the belt. Masvidal knocked out Askren in five seconds with a flying knee. He ended his career with a loss to fellow grappler and long-time fighter Demian Maia.