US EditionFormer Olympic Wrestler and MMA Star Ben Askren Recovering After Double Lung Transplant
UNITED STATES, JUL 9 – Ben Askren lost 50 pounds in 45 days and survived four heart stoppages during his double lung transplant recovery, supported by the wrestling and MMA communities.
- Ben Askren, a former UFC fighter and 2008 U.S. Olympian, shared a health update on Instagram on Wednesday after a double lung transplant.
- Askren suffered from a severe pneumonia infection starting in late May, which was complicated by a staph infection, ultimately leading to him undergoing a double lung transplant in late June.
- He described losing 50 pounds in 45 days, experiencing four heart stoppages of about 20 seconds each, and having no memory from May 28 to July 2.
- Askren expressed that what stood out most to him was the overwhelming love and support he received from both the wrestling and MMA communities.
- He is gaining strength, motivated to give back, but no timeline exists yet for hospital discharge or full recovery.
55 Articles
55 Articles
Ben Askren, former MMA star, recovering after lung transplant
MILWAUKEE — Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a severe case of pneumonia, said in a post on social media Wednesday that he had undergone a double lung transplant and is in recovery. Askren said during the Instagram video that he recalls very little of what happened over a monthlong stretch from late May through the first two days of July. His wife, Amy, had said in a series of social m…
What happened to Ben Askren as UFC star 'died four times' before lung transplant
Ben Askren has ‘made it out the other side’ after a double lung transplant (Picture: Getty Images) Former MMA champion Ben Askren says he ‘died four times’ during a traumatic time which saw a staph infection lead to pneumonia and then a double lung transplant, but he has now ‘made it out the other side.’ Posting an emotional video message from his hospital bed, Askren revealed that he has no memory of anything from May 28 to July 2 and that he l…
Former Olympic fighter and mixed martial arts star (MMA) Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a serious case of pneumonia, has reported in a...
Amy Askren Reacts as Ben Askren Reveals 50-Lb Weight Loss in Near-Death Lung Transplant Ordeal
The MMA community has finally rejoiced as Ben Askren provided his health update this time. ‘Funky’ was battling a Staph infection that led to pneumonia in late May 2025. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and later shifted to another healthcare facility in Wisconsin. But the concerns rose higher when Askren’s lungs began to collapse. He was put on an ECMO, as the doctors had to mechanize his breathing when Askren developed pus-filled hole…
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