Ben Askren is finally home after a tough health battle. The former UFC and Bellator fighter spent 59 days in the hospital fighting severe pneumonia.
He underwent a double lung transplant to save his life. Askren shared an emotional video update on July 22, 2025, thanking supporters while reflecting on his recovery.
Health Ordeal and Recovery
Askren’s health crisis began in late May 2025 with severe pneumonia caused by a staph infection. He was hospitalized in Nevada, then moved to a Wisconsin facility to be near family. His condition worsened, requiring a ventilator and leading to a double lung transplant in late June.
In his video, Askren said:
“Day 59, I’m out! With my beautiful wife supportive. That was a long journey and it’s not over because I still can’t really walk. I have to re-teach myself to do that among many other things. I guess I can make light of it because it was me and I don’t really remember it.”
He lost 50 pounds, weighing 147 pounds, a weight he hadn’t seen since he was 15.
Askren asked his wife, Amy:
“How close was I to dying?” She replied, “Too close. A few times.” He added, “I don’t remember 35 days of this journey. I think surgery was 24 or 25 days ago. It was hard.”
He revealed his heart stopped four times for about 20 seconds each during his hospital stay. He has no memory of 35 days, from May 28 to July 2.
The wrestling and MMA communities rallied around him.
“I’ve said this already in one of the videos but the support you guys gave me, whether it was setting up a GoFundMe, whether it was helping my kids and wife get through it, I had friends come from all over the country just to hang out for a couple of days. It meant so much,” Askren said. “It was so great to have all the support and all the love. Hopefully I’m not in this situation again for a really, really, really long time. I plan on living a while. So thank you guys again.”
Update #4- GOING HOME pic.twitter.com/O4Rx9Psyuu
— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) July 22, 2025
Ben Askren, 41, has a 19-2 MMA record. He debuted in MMA in 2009, going undefeated in Bellator and winning their welterweight title in 2010. He defended it four times before joining ONE Championship, where he also claimed the welterweight belt.
He joined the UFC in 2019 via a trade with ONE Championship, defeating Robbie Lawler in his debut. Losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia led to his MMA retirement in 2019. In 2021, he boxed Jake Paul, losing by first-round knockout.
A two-time NCAA wrestling champion at Missouri and 2008 Olympian, Askren won gold at the 2005 Pan American Championships and 2009 World Championships. He now coaches at the Askren Wrestling Academy and co-hosts a podcast with Daniel Cormier.
Askren’s journey continues as he works to walk again and rebuild strength. His resilience and support from family and friends keep him moving forward.
