TLDR
- Ben Askren will wrestle Belal Muhammad on July 18, one year after receiving a double lung transplant
- Joe Rogan expressed concerns about infection risks and immunosuppressant drug requirements for transplant recipients
- Askren was hospitalized with pneumonia and staph infection in 2024, losing fifty pounds during his medical emergency
- His medical team approved his return to wrestling after discussing potential risks and complications
- This marks Askren’s first competitive wrestling match in seven years at age 40
Sources: newsbreak.com
Former MMA fighter Ben Askren will compete in a wrestling match on July 18, just one year after receiving a double lung transplant. Joe Rogan expressed serious concerns about the return during a recent podcast discussion.
Askren will face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at Real American Freestyle 11 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event takes place at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Askren’s birthday in his hometown.
Rogan discussed Askren’s comeback with guests John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas on his podcast. He raised worries about infection risks and the need for immunosuppressant drugs that transplant recipients must take.
“I mean, he had double lung transplant surgery, like, how long ago? That was like a year ago, maybe two years ago,” Rogan said. “I’d be worried even just about infection; I’d be worried about everything.”
Joe Rogan admits 'worry' for Ben Askren ahead of wrestling match after his double lung transplant https://t.co/tPIZ5RLU5O pic.twitter.com/0CP7CXL1S9
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) July 11, 2026
Medical Emergency Last Year
Askren’s wife Amy revealed in 2024 that her husband was hospitalized with pneumonia likely caused by a staph infection. He was placed on a ventilator due to the severity of his condition.
Days later, Askren underwent emergency double lung transplant surgery. The former two-time NCAA Division I national champion later shared that he lost fifty pounds during his hospital stay and had no memory of several days when he was close to death.
Medical experts note that lung transplant recipients face ongoing challenges. Median survival rates hover around six to seven years, and only one-third of recipients reportedly live beyond ten years.
Transplant recipients must take immunosuppressant drugs to prevent organ rejection. These medications make the body more vulnerable to infections and other health complications.
Askren’s Decision to Return
Askren explained his decision to return to competition in an interview with Fox Nation host Abby Hornacek. His medical team initially suggested he participate in the Transplant Games, a sporting event for transplant recipients and donors.
Instead, Askren asked his doctors if he could wrestle. After discussing potential risks, his medical team approved the plan.
“I said, ‘Hey, what if I wrestle?’ And he was maybe a little hesitant at first, and I said, well, what are your real worries?” Askren recalled. “We talked through it, and he said, ‘I think it’s fine. I don’t see an issue.'”
Askren acknowledged the risks involved in his comeback. “Things could still go wrong when you’ve got my issues. A lot of stuff can go wrong,” he said.
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The former Bellator welterweight champion has been sharing regular health updates on social media since his transplant. He has used his platform to discuss his faith and motivate others facing similar medical challenges.
Some athletes have supported Askren’s decision, including former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili and Anthony Pettis. However, many in the MMA community share Rogan’s concerns about the physical demands of wrestling.
One previous case involves Kassandra Klemenz, who completed an Ironman 70.3 triathlon after a double lung transplant for cystic fibrosis. She made history as a double-lung transplant recipient and para-athlete.
Askren last competed in freestyle wrestling or MMA seven years ago. He will face Muhammad, a current UFC welterweight contender, in what marks his return to competitive wrestling at age 40.
