(Yong Teck Lim via Getty Images)
UFC veteran Ben Askren spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday since being hospitalized in early June with a life-threatening case of pneumonia, which ultimately led to him undergoing a successful double lung transplant.
Askren’s wife, Amy Askren, has periodically provided updates on her husband’s condition and the process they’ve endured during his health scare since it was first revealed on June 6. After weeks of sedation and a period in “limbo,” Amy’s updates indicated that her husband was in need of a double lung transplant.
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Following the successful surgery, a noticeably gaunt and emotional Askren posted a video to Instagram addressing everything that’s occurred over the past several weeks.
“What’s up guys? Have not given you an update in a while. Figured 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 and 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. I don’t think you guys know that. But I got the double lung transplant. I made it out to the other side of it, gaining quite a bit of strength. We’re going to use everything again. I was actually on the scale yesterday — 147 pounds. I haven’t been 147 pounds since 15 years old. So, I lost 50 pounds in a 45-day period. So, man, that was a battle, although I don’t remember most of it.
And the thing that was most impactful to me was all the love I felt from everybody. And it was almost like I got to see my own funeral, right? I still remember it 30 years ago when Dave Schultz died and you listen to all these older people, you know, recollect how much they enjoyed him, how much they loved him. And obviously he never got to hear that. I’m sure some people told him [before he died]. So, man, the outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good. And so, you know, I’m more motivated than ever to keep giving back and do what I can and help out the best I can help out.
I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. This has been tough, not only on me, but my whole family and my close community. So, I appreciate everything. Hope you guys appreciate the update. And like I said, sometime down the road, maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more.”
The 40-year-old Askren began his MMA career 19-0 and most notably held the welterweight titles in Bellator MMA and ONE Championship. In 2019, he was a part of the first and only “MMA trade,” which saw him swap from ONE with Demetrious Johnson to join the UFC roster. Askren only fought three times for the promotion, all in 2019, before hip injuries ultimately led to his retirement.
Since then, Askren has competed once in a pro boxing debut opposite Jake Paul in 2021, but has largely focused on his coaching career at his Askren Wrestling Academy in Wisconsin.
