Bhubaneswar : Ben Askren, iconic two-time NCAA wrestling champion and former MMA star, has made a powerful return to the wrestling world—not on the mats, but as a beacon of resilience and spirit for Real American Freestyle (RAF) Wrestling. “I’m so pumped to be back in the wrestling family and help RAF blow up,” Askren shared enthusiastically ahead of the league’s inaugural event on August 30, 2025, in Cleveland. Co-founded by the late Hulk Hogan, RAF is breaking new ground by mixing high-level amateur wrestling with real competition and the drama of pro wrestling, purposely steering away from scripted matches.
Despite a near-fatal battle with pneumonia that led to a double lung transplant and over 50 pounds lost, Askren’s fighting spirit remains unyielding. “Ben’s attitude reflects the spirit of wrestling,” says an RAF executive, noting that Askren even joined league strategy calls from his hospital bed. Ben’s remarkable recovery and passion symbolize the league’s core mission: showcasing wrestling’s discipline, intensity, and heart. As the Cleveland event kicks off with a heartfelt tribute to Hogan, Askren’s presence and story offer hope and inspiration that wrestling is evolving but never losing its soul.
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