Former UFC Champion remains hospitalized, on ventilator

According to MMA Weekly, former UFC and Bellator fighter Ben Askren remains in an Wisconsin hospital on life support, fighting for his life.

His wife Amy shared an update on his status via social media on Tuesday. She revealed that Askren is being prepared for a lung transplant.

On June 7, she revealed that the former Bellator champion had been hospitalized in Nevada with “severe pneumonia.” He has since been moved to a Wisconsin facility to be closer to home and family.

“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 said.

Amy continued, 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.”

She also said, “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.”

She ended the post by saying, “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 retired from the MMA in 2019. He returned to combat sports in April 2021 in a boxing match against Jake Paul.

He hosts a popular podcast on YouTube with former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier.