July 9, 2025 — Milwaukee (AP/ESPN) — Ben Askren, the 40-year-old former Olympic wrestler turned MMA powerhouse, is currently recovering from a double lung transplant after battling a severe case of pneumonia complicated by a staph infection. The transplant, performed in Wisconsin, marks a critical turning point in his recovery journey.
🌪️ A Health Crisis That Almost Ended His Life
Askren first fell critically ill in early June, prompting hospitalization after developing pneumonia secondary to a staph infection. He was placed on a ventilator and later an ECMO life-support system, before being added to the lung transplant list on June 24. The successful transplant took place at the end of the month.
🕰️ "He Died Four Times"
In a moving video shared Wednesday on Instagram, Askren shocked fans by revealing he has no memory from May 28 to July 2, and admitted:
“I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”
He also disclosed that he dropped 50 pounds in just 45 days, reaching 147 pounds—the lightest since he was 15 years old.
❤️ Overwhelmed by Love and Support
Once he regained consciousness, Askren was struck by the emotional response from his community. He said it felt like attending his own funeral due to the immense outpouring of love:
“The thing that was most impeccable to me was all the love I felt… It was almost like I got to have my own funeral.”
Support poured in from the MMA and wrestling worlds, including praise and well-wishes from Dana White, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, and Tom Aspinall.
🛠️ Road to Recovery
Askren is now focused on regaining his strength and returning to normal life. During his update, he shared:
“I’m gaining quite a bit of strength… learning to use everything again.”
He plans to resume running his youth wrestling academy in Wisconsin and is motivated to give back to the community.
🏆 Legacy in Combat Sports
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and based in Wisconsin, Askren’s athletic credentials are impressive:
-
Two NCAA Division I championships (University of Missouri)
-
2008 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestler
-
Bellator Welterweight Champion (2010)
-
ONE Welterweight Champion (2014)
-
Final MMA record: 19-2
-
Last MMA fight: October 2019 vs. Demian Maia
-
Brief boxing appearance: lost to Jake Paul by first-round TKO in April 2021
🔍 What Comes Next
-
Rehabilitation: Intensive months ahead to rebuild respiratory and physical health
-
Public Updates: Askren and his wife Amy intend to share more details over time
-
Community Impact: Discussions emerged about GoFundMe campaigns and athlete healthcare—highlighting gaps in MMA support systems
🧭 Final Takeaway
Ben Askren’s journey—from near-death experiences and losing half his body weight to receiving a life-saving lung transplant—underscores immense vulnerability even among athletes. His resilience, grateful spirit, and commitment to returning to the wrestling community offer a powerful message of hope and strength.
Comments
Post a Comment