Ben Askren sat down with The Schmo following RAF 04 at the Fiserv Event Center, reflecting on the growth of his promotion, his recovery process and how a life-threatening health scare reshaped his perspective on supporting others.
“As a wrestling fan, I had so much fun. As someone who’s putting the matches together, I was proud of how they all turned out,”
Askren said when discussing RAF 04. He pointed to standout performances on the card, particularly from Yoel Romero.
“Yoel Romero at 47 years old. I mean, he was the man in wrestling 20-ish years ago. I didn’t know he still had it like that.”
He also highlighted the showing of Wyatt Hendrickson against Mason Paris.
“Wyatt Henrikson was on fire against Mason Paris, a guy he’s never beaten before.”
The promotion continues to expand with upcoming events scheduled for Miami on January 10 and Tempe on February 28.
“We’re going to go once a month on Fox Nation,”
Askren confirmed. He also discussed potential future competitors, including Henry Cejudo.
“Cejudo is on my Olympic team. He’s amazing. He just retired from MMA. We’re coming to his hometown.”
When asked about Khamzat Chimaev, Askren added,
“We would love to get Khamzat . He’s putting a little big price tag on us right now.”
Turning to his health, Askren offered a candid update on his recovery.
“I’m doing great compared to what I was doing a month ago and great compared to a month before that. Um but I still got a long ways to go.”
He acknowledged ongoing physical limitations.
“My cardio though, bro. I get so tired so fast. I run up a flight of stairs. I’m like, it’s no good.”
Askren reflected on how his recovery aligned with the values he often speaks about publicly.
“People were able to see that the words I speak are the words I live by. It’s not whether I’m on top, whether I’m going to do the hard work. It’s I’m on bottom no matter where I’m at. Uh I’m gonna wake up every day. I’m going to work hard.”
He expanded on that mindset.
“If you really really put your mind to something and you’re dedicated, you’re willing to put in the time over a course of a many period of years, you you can accomplish anything.”
The experience also changed how he views time and priorities.
“When when you’re that sick, you think day by day. Like I I am being for real. It’s like, you know, uh maybe now I’m starting to look a little forward, but for many months, it’s just like what what do I got to do tomorrow?”
Askren described how deeply affected he was by the support he received during his hospitalization.
“The the support was I was so honored by all the support.”
He explained how small gestures had a major impact.
“Just even just show up in the hospital and sit next to me and you know, when I I couldn’t speak, right? Sit up and and I mean, honestly, there was people showing up when I was wasn’t awake, right?”
That experience led to a renewed personal commitment.
“I think if there’s one thing I personally going to try to do better, it’s like and I I think I did a pretty good job, but it was like I was so impressed by other people. I’m like, I got to do better is show love to other people and try to, you know, pay attention to when other people are going through hard times and make sure I’m there for them.”
A documentary chronicling Askren’s recovery is scheduled for release next year.
