Ben Askren Posts First Message Following Double Lung Transplant
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA standout Ben Askren, 40, experienced a life-threatening battle after suddenly developing severe pneumonia, triggered by an underlying staph infection. His wife, Amy, revealed that his condition deteriorated swiftly, leaving him sedated, unresponsive in the ICU, and reliant on ventilators and an ECMO machine.
By June 7, 2025, Amy announced that Ben was “unable to respond to anything,” prompting an outpouring of support from fans, fighters, and friends in the MMA community. Amid this critical phase, reports emerged of Askren being transported from Nevada back to Wisconsin and being placed on the official lung transplant list on June 24.
Double Lung Transplant & A Fight to Survive
On June 30, Askren underwent a successful double lung transplant in Wisconsin—news which Amy shared on Facebook, expressing deep gratitude to the donor and the medical team. He had been on the list for less than a week—a lightning-fast turnaround compared to average wait times.
His First Public Message: “I died four times…”
In a candid Instagram video posted on July 9, Askren opened up for the first time:
“I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds… I made it out to the other side of it… learning to use everything again. I was 147 pounds—that’s the lowest I’ve been since I was 15 years old.”
He admitted having no recollection from May 28 to July 2, piecing the story together through Amy’s journal entries:
“I just kind of read through my wife’s journal… It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous.”
Since waking, he’s reported gaining strength and has been overwhelmed by the support:
“I’m more motivated than ever to keep giving back… I love you guys. I appreciate you guys.”
He went on to call the outpouring of love “like attending my own funeral.”
Community Rally: From Fighters to Fans
Support has poured in:
Jake Paul, his former boxing opponent, called him “one of the toughest fighters of all time” and pledged to help the family financially.
Other MMA legends like Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Tom Aspinall, and Dana White personally reached out and contributed to his recovery efforts—including one anonymous $500,000 donation.
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Looking Ahead: A New Mission For Ben Askren
Now recovering in Wisconsin, Askren is focusing on reclaiming his health and continuing his legacy—not in the cage, but through mentorship. He runs a youth wrestling academy in Wisconsin and has always emphasized giving back. In his video, he reiterated:
“I’m more motivated than ever to keep giving back and do what I can and help out the best I can help out.”
While his memories of the ordeal remain blank, Ben Askren’s determination and community support echo loudly—an inspiring testament that even in the darkest fight, hope and resilience endure.
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