Former UFC star and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren has provided a deeply emotional and candid update from his hospital bed, just days after undergoing a double lung transplant. The 40-year-old athlete, known for his “Funky” wrestling style and undefeated MMA run, revealed the harrowing details of his severe health battle, which saw him face multiple near-death experiences.
Askren shared a video on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from his hospital room, expressing profound gratitude and reflecting on a month he barely remembers. “I don’t remember anything that happened in the entire month of June,” Askren stated, adding that after reading his wife Amy’s journal, he realized his ordeal was “nothing short of a movie.” He recounted that he “only died four times” while battling severe pneumonia, a condition that ultimately necessitated the double lung transplant. At one point, his heart even stopped for 20 seconds, a moment he humorously noted was “not ideal, I don’t know if you guys know that.” (TMZ Sports)
The health crisis began on June 7, 2025, when Askren’s wife, Amy Askren, first announced his hospitalization due to severe pneumonia, which had developed from a staph infection. She described his condition as critical, sedated, and indicated that a lung transplant would likely be required. Throughout June, Amy provided regular updates to concerned fans, detailing his time on a ventilator and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system. By June 17, she reported signs of improvement, noting he was “able to open his eyes and squeeze hands.” He was placed on the transplant list by June 24, with Amy sharing a touching moment where he mouthed the word “coffee” despite his inability to have it. (CNN, Wikipedia)
The life-saving double lung transplant was successfully performed on June 30, 2025. Amy Askren expressed immense gratitude to the donor and their family, emphasizing that “every new day he has is a gift.” She highlighted the suddenness of his illness, noting that just five weeks prior, he was “walking around completely healthy.” She urged continued prayers for his body to accept the new lungs. (CNN)
During his recovery, Askren also shared the physical toll the illness took, revealing he lost approximately 50 pounds in 45 days. He weighed himself earlier this week, seeing 147 pounds on the scale for the first time since he was 15 years old. Beyond the physical challenges, Askren was deeply moved by the overwhelming support from his peers and the wider community. “The outpouring love from the wrestling community, it’s just amazing. It felt so good,” he said. “The thing that was most impactful for me was all the love I felt from everybody.” (TMZ Sports)
The sports world rallied around Askren during his critical period. The UFC broadcast a video of his career highlights during a recent event, and prominent figures in the MMA community, including Henry Cejudo and Ariel Helwani, sent messages of support. Even Jake Paul, who famously defeated Askren in a 2021 boxing match, announced his intention to donate to help cover Askren’s medical expenses. (CNN, ESPN)
Ben Askren retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 with an impressive 19-2 record and one no-contest, having held welterweight titles in both Bellator and ONE Championship before his brief stint in the UFC. Prior to his MMA career, he was a highly decorated amateur wrestler, securing two NCAA Division I national championships and representing the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His journey to recovery is ongoing, and the fighting spirit that defined his career is clearly evident in his determination to get stronger every day.
