Ben Askren might need lung transplant

Famous wrestling/MMA figure Ben Askren may need a lung transplant as he continues to deal with serious health issues.

Askren’s wife Amy disclosed via social media on June 7 that her husband was dealing with severe pneumonia. Askren had apparently also been battling a staph infection, which led to the pneumonia. On Tuesday, she shared another update concerning Ben’s health.

“I haven’t shared an update because Ben has been in limbo for a while and I was hoping to have him wake up and be the one to decide what to share. I’ve had some media people contact me that they are going to share an update and I would rather it come from me,” Amy Askren wrote on Facebook.

“Ben is still on a ventilator and ecmo to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, but on the good, they have been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands. His body can’t handle coming off sedation too much yet. I’m still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant.

“Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily. I know transplants are such a blessing and I’m overwhelmed at the thought of him receiving a gift like that. No one would take better care of that gift than Ben.

“Thank you for every message and all of the support. Despite this awful situation, I’m feeling so blessed by the community we’re surrounded by. Give your loved ones a hug today and make sure you’re prepared situations like this. Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this.”

Askren is currently being sedated most of the time, and he is being evaluated for a possible lung transplant.

Lung transplants can come into consideration when a person has severe lung damage that is considered irreversible. It’s unclear exactly what is happening with Askren, but it’s clear from his wife’s post that he is still in rough shape.

Askren, 40, was a two-time Division I wrestling champion for Missouri and then became 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.