Ben Askren / Getty Images

Ben Askren Reveals What Awakened in Him After His 45-Day Coma

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 10:40 PM ET

Ben Askren opens up after dying four times and waking from a 45-day coma

The combat sports world has seen its share of comebacks—but none like this. After a 45-day coma, multiple cardiac arrests, and a life-saving double lung transplant, former UFC star Ben Askren has returned home and broken his silence. The 41-year-old revealed that he flatlined not once, but four times while battling a severe staph infection that left him on life support. What followed wasn’t just a physical transformation—it was a spiritual one.

In a clip shared by Happy Punch, Askren confirmed that he woke up from his coma with a newfound faith after 15 years of denying Christianity.

‘I woke up and I started as a Christian. I hadn’t gone with my wife to church for 15 years—that was part of the deal. I said, ‘I’m not a Christian, but I will support you.’ When I woke up, I knew I had to do it.’ he revealed in an emotional video posted to social media.

Ben Askren said he woke up from his 45-day coma, where he died four times, as a Christian after denying the religion for 15 years pic.twitter.com/sLxP5anGgQ
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 6, 2025

He’s now focused on recovery after spending 59 days in the hospital—but the journey has taken another turn. Askren is currently back in the hospital following concerns over a suspected chest tube infection, as reported by Yahoo Sports. He’s receiving antibiotics and undergoing additional imaging to monitor the situation. While it’s a discouraging setback, Askren has remained positive, acknowledging that healing isn’t always a straight line and expressing hope to be back home soon.

Askren’s battle isn’t over—but his second act is just beginning. With each step forward and every obstacle faced, he continues to show the same resilience that once made him a champion in the cage—only now, the fight is for something far greater than a title.

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

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