Former UFC and decorated MMA competitor, Ben Askren, has released his first public statement following a severe health crisis that necessitated a double lung transplant. Known for his exceptional wrestling pedigree and straightforward demeanor, Askren faced a life-threatening battle that kept him hospitalized for an extended period.
The critical situation arose after a staph infection escalated into severe pneumonia, causing significant damage to his lungs. The medical team determined that a double lung transplant was the necessary course of action to save his life, a procedure he underwent on June 30th.
Askren`s journey through this ordeal was incredibly challenging. According to an emotional video message he shared, he has no recollection of roughly a month-long period, from late May to early July. He mentioned that doctors reported his “ticker stopped” briefly on multiple occasions, moments he referred to with characteristic understatement as “not ideal.” The physical toll was also significant, noting he weighed just 147 pounds recently – a weight he hadn`t seen since he was 15 years old, a stark indicator of the severity of his illness.
Breaking his silence, Askren shared that he caught up on the events of the missing month by reading his wife Amy`s journal, which documented the harrowing experience. His primary motivation for speaking out was to provide an update and, more importantly, to express profound gratitude.
He described being overwhelmed by the outpouring of support he received from the combat sports community – particularly the wrestling world. Reflecting on the messages and tributes, Askren drew a poignant parallel, stating it felt like he had the unique opportunity to experience the kind of heartfelt recollections people share at a funeral – a rather premature, yet undoubtedly appreciated, chance to hear one`s own eulogy. This wave of support has deeply motivated him to continue recovering and find ways to give back to the communities that rallied around him.
Throughout his hospitalization, his wife Amy provided regular updates, and numerous prominent figures in the MMA and wrestling world offered prayers and messages of support, including Daniel Cormier, Chuck Norris, Joe Rogan, Laura Sanko, and others, underscoring the respect and affection held for “Funky Ben.”
While the road to full recovery is long, Askren is reportedly gaining strength. Efforts to support him and his family with the significant medical expenses are underway, including dedicated fundraising campaigns.
This experience has been difficult not just for Ben, but for his entire family and close friends. His message conveyed deep appreciation for everyone`s support during this incredibly tough period, and he expressed hope that he and Amy might share more details about their journey in the future.
