Ben Askren health update: Wife Amy reveals former MMA star received double lung transplant

Ben Askren received a double lung transplant, clearing a massive hurdle in his recovery according to his wife Amy. The former MMA star and two-time NCAA champion from Missouri has been battling a severe case of pneumonia.

Ben Askren was on the lung transplant list just last week but after some waiting and prayer, “Funky” received two new lungs and will work to adapt them to his body. Now, it’s about his recovery.

Amy Askren provided the latest on her husbands health battle. She said Ben will hopefully provide the next update himself when he’s able.

“We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant,” Amy Askren wrote. “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 (smile emoji).”

A pioneer of the sport of wrestling due to his style, Askren was nicknamed “Funky.” He brought his wrestling style to the modern age, where he would put himself in unorthodox positions to win scrambles in order to secure takedowns and pins. He was a two-time NCAA champion at Missouri, a four-time finalist and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner.

At the senior level, Askren won the 2008 Olympic Trials at 74 KG and represented Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He went 1-1 at the tournament and did not medal.

After not placing at the 2010 World Team Trials, Askren fully transitioned into MMA. Following three fights on the regional scene, Askren was signed by Bellator and proceeded to win the welterweight belt and remained undefeated in his time with the promotion. He then signed with ONE FC, going 6-0 with one no-contest and was the welterweight champion.

Although past his prime and initially retired, Askren returned to mixed martial arts in March of 2019 with the UFC and defeated former champion Robbie Lawler by submission in his debut, getting to 19-0 in his career. However, he would lose to Jorge Masvidal in a would-be title eliminator to challenge Kamaru Usman for the belt. Masvidal knocked out Askren in five seconds with a flying knee. He ended his career with a loss to fellow grappler and long-time fighter Demian Maia.

Since his retirement, Askren had surgery on his hip and hadn’t felt that good in a long time. He’s been coaching at his Askren Wrestling Academy in Wisconsin, where he’s coached up national champions such as Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) and Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State). Recently, Askren signed with Real American Freestyle, a new pro league founded by Hulk Hogan. You can find more information on the league HERE.