Belal Muhammad Faces Ben Askren in RAF11 Showdown on July 18

Belal Muhammad is set to face Ben Askren in a highly anticipated match at RAF11 on July 18.

Ben Askren has confirmed that his wrestling match with Belal Muhammad this weekend will be his final competition ever.

One of the greatest wrestlers to ever make the transition to MMA, Askren is just over 15 months removed from having both of his lungs replaced in a life-saving surgery. He lost over 45lb during his time in hospital and was unable to walk, but has been able to get back to training and wants to compete just once.

What happened to Ben Askren?

Just over a year after undergoing a double lung transplant that saved his life, Askren will take on Belal Muhammad on July 18. Now that RAF Wrestling is coming to his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and he has signed up for a match against Muhammad. As recently as a few days before Askren's health issue became potentially deadly, the Chicago native was the active UFC welterweight champion and is taking the match seriously.

Why it matters for Belal Muhammad

Ahead of his most unlikely of comebacks, Ben Askren has reiterated in interviews for RAF Wrestling's social channels that this will serve as a double-header of sorts. He will return to action and quickly retire after proving to himself and the fans that he can compete. "There was a time when I couldn't get off the couch and I had to be treated differently because I literally can't get up to go get a glass of water," Askren recalled in an interview for the RAF Wrestling social media channels.

What comes next?

But at this point in his life, Askren actually hates when people treat him differently, he doesn't want people to because of what he's been through. Everyone's asking 'oh are you going to win this match?' I don't give a s- if I win this match, I couldn't walk last year. The same day last year I couldn't get out of bed. So as far as a win, I'm going to compete hard, he can compete hard back and if he doesn't compete hard he's not going to win. I hope he tries his best.

Belal Muhammad will face off against Ben Askren at RAF11 on July 18, in what promises to be an intense and closely watched match. The event is set to take place in Askren's hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and will be a significant test of Muhammad's skills against one of the greatest wrestlers to ever make the transition to MMA.

Belal Muhammad is set to face off against Ben Askren in a highly anticipated match at RAF11 on July 18. The event promises to be a closely watched test of Muhammad's skills against one of the greatest wrestlers to ever make the transition to MMA.