Chael Sonnen admits Ben Askren’s wrestling return at RAF 11 ‘makes me uncomfortable’

Ben Askren is preparing for a combat sports return at RAF 11 this Saturday in Milwaukee, facing former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the card's co-main event. The bout marks Askren's first competition since recovering from a life-threatening bout of pneumonia that required a double lung transplant over a year ago. After nearly two months hospitalised, Askren has steadily improved his health and now serves as a matchmaker for the fledgling RAF promotion.

Chael Sonnen, who will provide colour commentary for the event on FOX Nation, admitted that Askren's return makes him uncomfortable, despite recognising its inspirational nature. "When I read about it, the response was supposed to be excitement," Sonnen told MMA Fighting. "It was supposed to be inspirational, and I am getting there, by the way. It is exciting, it is inspirational, but I was uncomfortable at first."

Sonnen shifted focus to Muhammad's role in facilitating Askren's opportunity, praising the former UFC champion for accepting a matchup that few fighters would risk. Muhammad makes his second RAF appearance after suffering a technical fall loss to David Carr at RAF 4 in December. "What a stud Belal Muhammad is for taking this," Sonnen said. "I don't think very many people would have taken this risk." Sonnen argued that Muhammad deserves greater credit and that the media has consistently undervalued him, stating he is "every bit the star of this contest that Ben Askren is."