Ben Askren’s facing his toughest fight yet, but he’s not backing down. On July 12, 2025, the former UFC welterweight shared an Instagram video from his hospital bed, updating fans on his recovery from a double lung transplant. After a staph infection ruined his lungs, Askren’s refusing to let pity take over. Following an earlier video on July 9, his latest message shows his fight to keep moving forward.
Ben Askren holds a 19-2 record with one no contest. A two time NCAA Division I wrestling champion and 2008 Olympian, he dominated Bellator and ONE Championship, winning titles in both, per Sherdog. Joining the UFC in 2019 via a trade with Demetrious Johnson, he beat Robbie Lawler but lost to Jorge Masvidal in a record breaking five second knockout at UFC 239 and to Demian Maia before retiring.
In May 2025, Askren faced a staph infection that turned into severe pneumonia, destroying his lungs. Added to the transplant list on June 24, he received new lungs days later. His wife, Amy, shared he was unresponsive for weeks but awake by July 9.
Askren’s Latest Update
In his July 12, 2025, Instagram video, Askren showed progress.
“Everything is going pretty well,” he said. “I got another tube out. I only have one tube left. I wanted to make a reflection with where I was less than a month ago, which was Father’s Day.” He noted his transplant evaluation began around June 15, 2025. “That was like a month ago that they wanted to start transplant evaluation,” he said. “I feel like holy crap, I came a long way since then.”
Askren lost 50 pounds, weighing 147 pounds for the first time since age 15. His heart stopped four times during his ordeal, per. Recovery could take three to six months.
Rejecting Self Pity
Askren admitted to a brief moment of doubt.
“I’m going to plead guilty — I felt guilty for myself one time,” he said. “That doesn’t do anybody any good. I thought man, I never smoked one cigarette, never smoked any weed, never did anything. Why did my lungs get stolen from me? Why isn’t this happening to someone who smokes habitually?”
He pushed past it.
“Then I realized, it happened. It’s over. It’s done with. I can be bitter and angry. I could whine, cry. That’s not going to help anybody. I am where I am now and I’m going to move forward the best that I can. So I hope you guys are enjoying the updates. I will not feel sorry for myself. I’m going to get out of here pretty soon and I hope you guys have a great day.” Via MMAFighting
Funds raised helped cover the $300,000 to $400,000 transplant cost.
Askren’s wrestling and MMA career proved his toughness. Now 40, he’s not planning to fight but aims to coach again. Physical therapy awaits, with doctors watching for infection or rejection. His video showed him coughing but determined.
