Former U.S. Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren shared an emotional update Wednesday, for the first time since undergoing double lung transplant surgery.
Askren developed pneumonia, followed by a staph infection, and has been hospitalized in Wisconsin.
He said in an Instagram video that he remembers very little of what happened between May 28 and July 2. Askren said he was brought up to speed on everything the family had experienced after reading a journal kept by his wife, Amy.
“No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened,” Askren said in the video. “We’ll kind of go through it all. I just read through my wife’s journal. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”
Askren said he had also lost 50 pounds in 45 days. He currently weighs 147 and has started to regain his strength. He also thanked everyone for all the support.
“The thing that was most impeccable to me was all the love I felt from everybody,” Askren said. “It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. … The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good.”
Ben Askren provided an update on his health after receiving a double lung transplant.
Askren has been in the hospital for the last month in his home state of Wisconsin, due to severe pneumonia.
(via @Benaskren) pic.twitter.com/ggiZeKB4l4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 9, 2025
Who is Ben Askren?
Askren started his MMA career in 2009 and had his last fight in 2019. His MMA record is 19-2 with six wins coming by knockout and six by submission. The other seven victories were by decision.
He’s won welterweight titles in the Bellator and ONE Championship promotions during his career.
Before he began his MMA career, Askren won two NCAA Division I national championships and three Big 12 Conference championships while attending the University of Missouri.
Askren won back-to-back Dan Hodge Trophies in 2006 and 2007. The honor is the wrestling equivalent of college football’s Heisman Trophy. He became the second wrestler to win the trophy twice.
He competed as a member of the United States’ wrestling team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He defeated István Veréb of Hungary in the first round by pinfall before losing to Cuba’s Iván Fundora on points in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
In April 2021, Askren was knocked out during a boxing match with Jake Paul. The event was held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
What’s next for Ben Askren?
Askren plans on being involved in the fight community again.
“I’m more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out the best I can,” Askren said. “I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. This has been tough, not only for me, but for my whole family and close community as well.
“… Hope you guys appreciate the update. Like I said, somewhere down the road, maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ben Askren update: Former UFC star opens up about lung transplant
