Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren were once bitter rivals, but life changes things. On July 11, 2025, Masvidal posted an Instagram video sending prayers to Askren, who’s recovering from a double lung transplant after a brutal health scare. Their 2019 fight ended with Masvidal’s historic knockout, but now he’s showing respect for Askren’s fight to survive.
Jorge Masvidal holds a 35-18 record with 17 knockouts, starting his MMA career in 2003. His 2019 knockout of Askren at UFC 239, followed by wins over Darren Till and Nate Diaz, earned him the inaugural BMF title at UFC 244. After losing a boxing match to Diaz in July 2024, Masvidal unretired in September 2024, eyeing a UFC return.
Ben Askren has a 19-2 record with one no contest, a wrestling standout who won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before joining the UFC in 2019. He defeated Robbie Lawler but lost to Masvidal and Demian Maia before retiring. In June 2025, Askren faced a staph infection that caused pneumonia, requiring a double lung transplant.
Masvidal’s Message to Askren
On July 11, 2025, Masvidal shared a heartfelt Instagram video.
“This goes out to the one and only Ben Askren,” he said. “What’s up my brother? I know we were rivals in the ring, but I just want to say God bless you. When I get back to America, if I could come shake your hand brother and just share a prayer with you, it’ll be amazing man. I know you’re gonna pull through this, cause you’re a f—king warrior. God bless, your story is crazy inspirational what you’re going through right now. God bless, I’m hoping to get back and shake your hand. I hope all is well.”
The video followed Askren’s July 9, 2025, hospital update, where he described surviving four heart stops during recovery.
At UFC 239 on July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas, Masvidal knocked out Askren with a flying knee in five seconds, the fastest knockout in UFC history. Follow up punches stirred debate, with Masvidal calling them “super necessary,”. Askren later said his trash talk boosted Masvidal’s fame, while Masvidal credited his skill. Their feud lingered, with Askren critiquing Masvidal online in 2022 and Masvidal aiding Jake Paul’s training for a 2021 boxing match against Askren.
Askren’s health crisis began in May 2025 with a staph infection that led to severe pneumonia, damaging 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, with recovery expected to take three to six months.
Masvidal’s message marks a shift from their rivalry. Training at American Top Team, he’s planning a UFC comeback, possibly against Michael Chandler in April 2025. Askren, now 40, focuses on recovery, with no plans to fight again.
