Ben Askren, the former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who competed in Bellator, ONE, and finally UFC, has endured a harrowing medical ordeal culminating in a successful double lung transplant and is now slowly but steadily on the road to recovery.
1. The Sudden Health Crisis
In early June 2025, Askren, 40, was rushed to a Wisconsin hospital after developing severe pneumonia triggered by a staph infection. He rapidly deteriorated—becoming unresponsive, placed on a ventilator, and eventually needing support from an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine to sustain his vital functions.
By mid-June, Askren was listed for a double lung transplant after doctors determined his lungs were irreparably damaged. His wife, Amy, shared emotionally charged updates, asking fans to pray and report moments of progress—such as him squeezing her hand or mouthing “coffee”—signs he was mentally lucid despite the machines.
2. Waiting for a Lifesaving Match
June 24 marked a pivotal moment: Ben was officially on the transplant list. The family and fans watched anxiously as every moment delayed his chance of receiving donor lungs.
Amid uncertain insurance coverage for such a complex procedure, the MMA community sprang into action. Donations—including from prominent fighters and even past opponents—bolstered the hope that the transplant could proceed without financial barriers.
3. Transplant Surgery and Immediate Aftermath
On June 30, 2025, a suitable donor was found and Askren successfully underwent a double lung transplant at a Wisconsin hospital.
In a touching social media update, Amy expressed heartfelt gratitude to the donor’s family and medical team, calling each new day “a gift.” The announcement stressed the dramatic health swings: “He was healthy just five weeks ago… so much can change so quickly.” She requested continued prayers as Ben began integrating his new lungs.
4. The Harrowing Experience: Flatlining Four Times
On July 9, 2025, Askren shared his first public health update. In a candid and emotional video message, he revealed the shock of losing his memory from May 28 to July 2, with nearly no recall of that entire six-week period—only details gleaned later from Amy’s journal.
He calmly disclosed that his heart flatlined four times, each time the heart stopped beating for roughly 20 seconds, and he “died four times” before being resuscitated.
5. Physical Toll and Gradual Rebuilding
The physical toll was staggering. In just 45 days, Askren’s weight plummeted by 50 pounds, dropping to 147 pounds—a weight he hadn’t seen since he was a teenager.
Yet in his video update, he shared cautious optimism: he’s gaining strength day by day, relearning to use his muscles and rebuild endurance.
6. Emotional Resilience & Community Support
Askren deeply acknowledged the overwhelming emotional support surrounding him. He described moments of listening to heartfelt stories from loved ones—comparing it to experiencing his own funeral from the sidelines.
Key MMA figures—former champions such as Dana White, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, and athlete Tom Aspinall—publicly rallied behind him, offering messages of solidarity and healing. The outpouring reaffirmed how connected Askren remained to the MMA and wrestling communities.
7. Plans Beyond Recovery
Though still in the early phase of a long rehabilitation, Askren already looks ahead with determination.
He plans to resume coaching wrestling in Wisconsin, believing his experience can empower a new generation of athletes.
He expressed a renewed motivation to give back, share his journey, and lean into the strength he’s rediscovered both mentally and physically.
8. The Road to Health and Hope
What lies ahead:
-
Medication & Recovery
Askren will require powerful immunosuppressive medications to prevent his body from rejecting the new lungs. -
Intensive Physical Rehab
Regaining lost muscle mass and rebuilding cardio capacity will be a gradual, disciplined process. -
Emotional Healing
As memories resurface, therapy and family support will be key components in managing trauma and stress. -
Public Engagement
He’s hinted that over time, he and Amy will share more details of this medical journey, likely offering hope to others battling serious illness.
9. Why This Story Matters
-
Medical Resilience: A dramatic showcase of modern medicine’s ability to save lives under critical circumstances.
-
Community Power: An inspiring reminder of how collective support can uplift individuals facing life-or-death challenges.
-
Mental Strength: Askren’s emotional honesty—“dying four times,” memory loss, massive weight loss—reminds us that recovery is as much psychological as it is physical.
-
Legacy Beyond the Octagon: His resilience points toward a broader impact—helping athletes and families brave their own recovery battles.
Comments
Post a Comment
We’d love to hear from you! Keep it respectful and relevant.