Latest news with #OlympicWrestler
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UFC Fighter Ben Askren 'Died 4 Times' Waiting for Double Lung Transplant
NEED TO KNOW Former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren is opening up about his time waiting for a lung transplant after contracting a critical case of pneumonia The UFC alum said on Instagram that he while he was hospitalized for more than a month, he was unaware of what was going on around him and had to rely on his wife's journal to remember what happened Askren underwent a double lung transplant and says he's now on the road to recovery Ben Askren, a former Olympic wrestler, boxer and mixed martial artist, is opening up about his time waiting for a lung transplant after contracting a critical case of pneumonia. In a candid Instagram video shared on Wednesday, July 9, the former UFC fighter, 40, spoke from his hospital bed about the difficult month he spent in the hospital awaiting new lungs. Advertisement According to Askren, he had no memories from May 28 through July 2, and he read his wife's journal to figure out what had happened to him. "No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened," Askren said in the video, still wearing a hospital gown as he chuckled between coughs. "I just read through my wife's journal, and it's like a movie. It's ridiculous. I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. That's not ideal, I don't know if you guys know that." Askren's wife Amy previously shared in a series of social media posts that Askren was placed on a ventilator in June after he was brought to a Wisconsin hospital in critical condition, and he received a spot on the donor list for a lung transplant on June 24. In his update, the boxer shared that he had lost about 50 lbs. during the 45-day stretch in the hospital, joking to his followers that he hasn't "been 147 lbs. since [I was] 15 years old." Advertisement '[I'm] gaining quite a bit of strength, learning how to use everything again," Askren shared. "The thing that was most impeccable to me was all the love I felt," Askren continued. "It was almost like I got to have my own funeral." "I still remember 30 years ago, when Dave Schultz died. He wasn't always told — and now people recollect — how much they enjoyed him, how much they loved him. You know, obviously, he never got to hear that," Askren said, adding that in his case: "... The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Askren at a UFC Fight Night event on October 26, 2019 in Singapore. Askren at a UFC Fight Night event on October 26, 2019 in Singapore. Amy first shared the news about his complications from pneumonia on June, 7, announcing in a Facebook post that the former MMA fighter was taken to the hospital after developing 'severe pneumonia.' Advertisement 'You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,' Amy wrote. 'He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.' Amy, who has been married to Askren since 2010 and with whom he shares three children, continued to share updates throughout her husband's month-long hospital stay. In an post shared on Facebook on June 30, after he received his double lung transplant, she wrote that the surgery marked a new beginning for the wrestler. "This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift," she said, writing that it "still doesn't feel real" that her husband was "walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago." Advertisement The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Askren is a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner who won titles in the ONE Championship and Bellator. He also competed in the 2008 Olympics. In 2019, he announced his retirement from the UFC after just three fights, citing "hip issues," according to ESPN. He completed his UFC career with just three fights and a 1-2 record. In his video on Wednesday, he shared that he was "more motivated than ever to sort of keep giving back and to do what I can and help out the best I can help out." Advertisement 'I love you guys. I appreciate you guys because it's been tough, not only on me but my whole family and my close community," Askren added, choking up. "I appreciate everything." Read the original article on People
Washington Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren recovering after double lung transplant
MILWAUKEE — Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a severe case of pneumonia, said in a post on social media Wednesday that he had undergone a double lung transplant and is in recovery. Askren said during the Instagram video that he recalls very little of what happened over a monthlong stretch from late May through the first two days of July. His wife, Amy, had said in a series of social media posts that Askren was put on a ventilator in June and placed on the donor list for a lung transplant on June 24.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ben Askren breaks silence after double lung transplant: 'The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds'
UFC star Ben Askren recently dealt with a severe case of pneumonia, and there were concerns that he wouldn't survive after being rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, he pulled through, and on Wednesday, he finally spoke about his harrowing health scare. The 40-year-old fighter initially developed a staph infection before battling pneumonia. This led to Askren needing a double lung transplant. Advertisement While it doesn't sound like he has any intentions of getting back into fighting shape and trying to get back into the Octagon, it was good to hear that he is on the road to recovery. There could be a path for him to eventually get into coaching, seeing as he began his career as an Olympic-level amateur wrestler and then transitioned into mixed martial arts fighting. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Here is the update that Askren gave about his double lung transplant. Ben Askren health update Asken posted the update from a hospital bed. He is almost unrecognizable, as he has lost 50 pounds over the past 45 days. Askren said that he hadn't been this light in the past 15 years, weighing in at just 147 pounds. Here is what Askren says in the video. "I haven't given you an update in a while. I figure you deserve one. Whenever this is all the way over — I actually just read through my wife's journal because I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2. No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened. We'll kind of go through it all. I just read through my wife's journal. It's like a movie. It's ridiculous. So, I only died four times where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. That's not ideal. "But I got the double lung transplant and made it to the other side of it. Gaining quite a bit of strength. Learning to use everything again, I was actually on a scale yesterday and 147 pounds. I haven't been 147 pounds since 15 years old. So, I lost like 50 pounds in a 45-day period. Man, that was a battle. Other than that, I don't remember most of it." Obviously, there are aspects of his statement that stand out. He is missing over a month from his recent memory. Askren also almost casually tells us that during his ordeal that his heart had stopped four different times for about 20 seconds. Askren technically died four times but was brought back, and the procedure seems like it was a success on the other end. Advertisement For now, though, Askren is happy being able to thank people for their support during his health scare. He jokingly said that it was like he got to go to his own funeral.
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ben Askren's wife provides positive update after former UFC star undergoes double lung transplant
Ben Askren's wife has provided a positive update after the mixed martial arts veteran underwent a double lung transplant this week. Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who later ventured into boxing, retired from combat sports in 2021 at the age of 36, and at just 40, the American found himself facing a complicated health issue this month. His wife Amy wrote on Facebook on 7 June that Askren was suffering from 'severe pneumonia', as she asked for 'prayers for healing and for peace'. On 17 June, she added: 'I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant.' After reports suggested that Askren's health insurance would not cover a double lung transplant, Amy provided a positive update on Monday (30 June), writing: 'We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant. We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. 'This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift. It still doesn't feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly. 'Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own. I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can't wait to tell Ben all about It. 'I'm hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off.' Askren went to the 2008 Olympics as a Team USA wrestler, before beginning an MMA career in which he won the Bellator and ONE welterweight titles and stayed unbeaten until his final two fights. His last three fights all took place in the UFC in 2019, as he submitted Robbie Lawler before suffering a record-setting five-second knockout by Jorge Masvidal and a submission by Demian Maia. Askren then boxed once, facing YouTuber Jake Paul in 2021 and falling to a first-round knockout. He has not competed in any combat sport since.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
MMA champ facing lung transplant after sudden illness
Mixed martial arts veteran Ben Askren has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and may require a lung transplant. His wife, Amy Askren, shared on Facebook that he is currently on a ventilator and ECMO for lung support. She said she is 'praying for a miracle with his current lungs', but an evaluation process for a lung transplant has begun. Askren, 40, was an Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who retired from combat sports in 2021. His wife said he fell ill very suddenly, stating he was previously very healthy.
