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Ben Askren Receives A Double Lung Transplant

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 8:39 AM ET

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren’s wife, Amy, revealed that her husband received a double lung transplant on social media. Askren has been in the hospital being treated with a severe case of pneumonia for several weeks now. Amy Aksren wrote that her husband was on life support for some time before receiving the transplant.

“We are forever thankful to the donor and his family,” Amy wrote. “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.”

Incredibly positive update on Ben Askren, courtesy of his wife Amy. pic.twitter.com/pPkzpPxz17

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 30, 2025

“I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now,” Amy continued. “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.”

In 2021, he also fought Jake Paul in a boxing match, where he was knocked out in the first round. Jake Paul said that he will donate to Askren. Paul sounded off about the unfortunate situation and called out UFC President Dana White and the health system for failing Askren.

“It’s just insane and insurance is a f***ing scam,” Paul said as the Askren family desperately try to raise funds for his surgery. “And it’s so sad.”

“Right when you need these companies, they’re not there and it’s f***ed up and his insurance denied him to get the double lung transplant which is also one of the most expensive surgeries which is why they denied it.”

Jake Paul says it "sucks no one is doing anything" to help Ben Askren receive a double lung transplant:

"None of these people, like Dana, are stepping in. So I feel like I have to do something." pic.twitter.com/bWp9hgpBXV

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) June 29, 2025