Ben Askren: Former UFC fighter dies four times while having double lung transplant after getting pneumonia
Ben Askren was known for his trash talk and heavy hitting in the ring but it was outside the canvass where he met his biggest challenge.
The 40-year-old American was put in hospital in June with severe pneumonia stemming from a staph infection.
His condition quickly deteriorated and he had to be put into a medically induced coma.
But the real kick came when he then had to have both of his lungs replaced.
Askren took to social media from his hospital bed on Wednesday to give fans an update on his progress.
At times losing breath and coughing, the fighter revealed that he had lost 22kg throughout the ordeal.
'I actually just read through my wife's journal cause I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2,' he says in the video posted on Instagram.
'No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened. We'll kind of go through it all, and I just read through my wife's journal.
'It's like a movie, it's ridiculous. So I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.
'That's not ideal. I hope you guys know that but I got the double lung transplant.'
Askren said that he was slowly regaining his strength.
'I made it out to the other side of it,' the father-of-three said.
'And I'm gaining quite a bit of strength and learning to use everything again.
'I was actually on a scale yesterday and I was weighing 147 pounds (about 66.6kg). I haven't been 147 pounds since 15 years old.
'It was like 50 pounds in a 45-day period. So, man, that was a battle. I don't remember most of it.'
Askren was able to get the lifesaving double lung transplant thanks to the UFC, martial arts and wrestling communities rallying around to raise the money.
He said that he plans to give back and take his second chance at life by coaching the next generation of wrestlers.
'I'm more motivated than ever to keep giving and get back and do what I can and help out the best I can help out,' he said.
'I love you guys, I appreciate you guys. It's been tough not only on me, but my whole family and my close community.
'So I appreciate everything. I hope you guys appreciate the update.'
Fellow fighters were quick to show their support for Askren.
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier commented: 'We love you, buddy.
'You're a fighter, it's why you are fighting back. Thank God we still have you.'
Cormier's fellow former two-weight champ Henry Cejudo said: 'Glad you made it through, bro.
'Really put into perspective for all of us. The Funky is back.'
New heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall: 'Keep going, Ben. We're all behind you, brother.'
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