Ben Askren shall be strolling in a martial arts surroundings.
Askren will face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad within the co-main occasion of RAF 11 this Saturday in Milwaukee. His return to competitors comes greater than a yr after a extreme bout of pneumonia that led to a double lung transplant and almost killed him. After almost two months within the hospital, Askren was in a position to return residence, the place his well being continues to enhance. ‘Funky’ has been one of many matchmakers for the Royal Air Pressure since its inception lower than a yr in the past.
RAF coloration commentator Chell Sonnen will give the decision to motion throughout Saturday’s occasion, which shall be streamed on FOX Nation, however like many others he’s somewhat nervous heading into the match.
“It makes me really feel uncomfortable,” Sonnen informed MMA Preventing on the pink carpet on the Fighters Solely MMA Awards. “After I examine it, the response was purported to be pleasure. It was purported to be inspirational. By the way in which, I am getting there.”
“It’s thrilling, it’s inspiring, but it surely was uncomfortable at first.”
What’s considerably misplaced within the Askren story is that Muhammad will play in opposition to Askren. The previous UFC titleholder is competing in RAF for the second time, trying to enhance upon his tech fall loss to David Kerr at RAF 4 final December.
Sonnen believes he needs to be acknowledged extra for “Keep in mind my identify” than for profitable a match.
“I believed what an incredible particular person Belal Muhammad was to tackle this,” Sonnen mentioned. “I feel only a few folks would have taken a danger like this, and Belal realized that if I did not do it, Ben would not have that chance and that a part of the story hasn’t been informed and needs to be informed.”
“I feel Belal Muhammad has at all times been handled badly within the media. I do not suppose the media has ever been truthful to him. And I feel the star of this contest in each sense of the phrase is Ben Askren.”
