Ben Askren is set to return to competition about one year after undergoing a life-saving double-lung transplant. The former Olympic wrestler and former UFC welterweight champion will make his debut for Real American Freestyle on his 41st birthday, when he faces Belal Muhammad in a wrestling match. Both outlets report that the fight is scheduled as a wrestling bout rather than an MMA contest, despite Muhammad’s background as a UFC welterweight. The Independent and The Athletic both link the matchup to Askren’s recovery timeline, noting that this event marks his return to action roughly one year after the transplant. The reports do not add conflicting details about the opponent or the promotion, and they consistently describe Askren’s transition from his earlier MMA career to competition under Real American Freestyle. Overall, the coverage frames the bout as a comeback following major health treatment, with Askren and Muhammad lined up to wrestle publicly on the specified date.