Belal Muhammad Says It is An Honor To Wrestle Ben Askren At RAF Occasion

Belal Muhammad was simply as shocked as everybody else when he heard Ben Askren was returning to the mats … and now the UFC star is strolling TMZ Sports activities by means of how the deal went down!

“[Real American Freestyle] hit me up, and they asked me if I was down again. It’s close to Chicago in Milwaukee, and then they brought up his name, and I was like, ‘Bro, is he healthy enough?’ I care about him. I’ve seen his story,” the 37-year-old MMA fighter instructed us.

“When they said, ‘Yeah [he’s healthy],’ I said, ‘Bro, it’d be an honor.’ He’s a legend. His story is legendary. To be a part of that, and to be his homecoming match, or even his end match, his last one, it’s gonna be cool. I’ve trained with him. I’ve talked to him. He’s a good guy, cool guy.”

For those who missed it, Belal and Ben are wrestling at RAF 11 on July 18 … astounding when you think about Askren practically died after battling pneumonia.

He in the end required a double lung transplant on June 30, 2025 … and 54 weeks later, he is competing in opposition to among the best fight sports activities athletes on this planet.

Even his opponent freely admits that is fairly rattling superb.

“I think his story is gonna motivate the next generation, and even people who think they can’t come back from anything. It’s gonna be huge.”

After all, Askren’s acquired nearly nearly as good a wrestling pedigree as a competitor might have — he is a 2x NCAA champion (amongst a protracted record of different accolades — however does he nonetheless have it after every thing his physique has been by means of?

Now, first issues first for Keep in mind The Identify.

Belal’s headlining UFC Battle Evening on Saturday in opposition to 28-year-old Gabriel Bonfim, an up-and-coming welterweight.