Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Ben Askren in hospital with severe pneumonia, staph infection

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 8:26 AM ET

Prominent MMA and wrestling figure Ben Askren is in the hospital with severe pneumonia, his wife disclosed via social media on Saturday.

Amy Askren shared a post on her Facebook page that provided an update about her husband.

“You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something. 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 Askren wrote.

“We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.”

Dillon Danis, another former MMA figure, added that he knew about the situation and it is “a lot more serious” than people think.

I heard the news before it hit the media about Ben Askren. It’s a lot more serious than people think. No matter how bad our beef might’ve been, he’s a great coach and a family man. Praying he pulls through this
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) June 8, 2025

Pat Mineo reported that Askren developed a staph infection, and complications from the infection led to severe pneumonia for Askren.

Per Ben’s wife Amy, complications from the infection led to severe pneumonia and he is unable to respond to anything at this time. Please keep praying for Ben and the Askren Family! https://t.co/Xtk3KX6pah
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) June 8, 2025

Askren, 40, was a two-time Division I wrestling champion for Missouri and later was an Olympic wrestler. He went into MMA after his wrestling career and was 19-2 with one no contest. He went from February 2009-March 2019 without losing an MMA fight, and was a champion in both Bellator and ONE during his fighting career.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: