Ben Askren Retires After Wrestling Loss to Belal Muhammad

Ben Askren has ended his competitive career following a points loss in a wrestling match against former UFC fighter Belal Muhammad. The bout, which took place on Friday, marked Askren's return to wrestling after a successful mixed martial arts (MMA) career. Askren, known for his collegiate wrestling accolades, competed in the UFC and Bellator before retiring from MMA in 2019. His return to the mat was highly anticipated by fans, but Muhammad proved too strong, winning on points. After the match, an emotional Askren confirmed that this was his final competition. He thanked his supporters and said he was proud of his career. Askren is a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion and an Olympic alternate. He transitioned to MMA, where he became a two-time Bellator welterweight champion and later fought in the UFC. His most famous UFC bout was against Jorge Masvidal, which ended in a quick knockout. Despite the loss, Askren leaves behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished wrestlers-turned-fighters. Muhammad, also a UFC welterweight, showed respect to Askren after the match, praising his contributions to the sport.