Family Of Former MMA Star Asking For Prayers Amid 'Severe' Health Issues

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 11:30 PM ET

Former MMA and NCAA wrestling champion Ben Askren is dealing with some serious health issues right now and his family is asking for thoughts and prayers.

Taking to Facebook, Askren's wife Amy revealed that the former UFC fighter has developed "severe pneumonia" that has rendered him unresponsive in the hospital. She said that she's trying to keep things "as normal as possible" for their children and humbly asked people not to speak with them about it.

"You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something," she wrote. "He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. 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."

Prayers up for Ben Askren & his family pic.twitter.com/h4IIygckt9
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 8, 2025

The message was heard loud and clear by combat sports fans who are offering all of their thoughts and prayers to the former MMA star and NCAA wrestling champion:

"Wanted to send positive thoughts to Ben Askren, who is currently hospitalized battling serious health issues. Askren developed pneumonia very recently, according to his wife, in addition to other serious illnesses. He’s battling right now. Hang in there, @Benaskren . You got this," MMA insider Ariel Helwani wrote on X.

"Pray for Ben Askren," former UFC champion Henry Cejudo wrote.

"Heavenly Father today I pray for Ben Askren’s health, Father please give him strength and courage in these hard times, I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ AMEN," wrote a third.

"Prayers up for Ben Askren. This is so scary and sad."

Askren was a three-time Big 12 champion and a two-time NCAA champion in the 174-pound college wrestling division with the University of Missouri. He won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2005 Pan American Games and a world championship in grappling in 2009.

Askren went into professional MMA fighting in 2009, going 18-0 before earning a UFC contract and winning his first fight against Robbie Lawler in 2019.

Unfortunately for Askren, he found himself on the wrong side of history a few months later when he was knocked out by Jorge Masvidal in a record-setting five seconds. After losing his follow-up fight against Demian Maia, he announced his retirement from MMA.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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