Ben Askren, the former UFC fighter and Olympic wrestler, has been hospitalized due to severe pneumonia, as shared by his wife on social media.
“You might have heard that my husband Ben is facing a serious issue,” Amy Askren posted on Facebook. “He developed severe pneumonia quite suddenly and is currently unable to respond as he remains in the hospital. We appreciate all the prayers for his healing and peace during this time.”
As reported, Askren’s condition followed an earlier diagnosis of a staphylococcal infection, which led to further complications. Amy’s message comes amidst rising speculations within the MMA community.
Amy has also asked for privacy for their family during this tough period.
The couple has been married since April 2010 and has three children together: two daughters named Alex and Andy, and their son. They reside in Wisconsin.
In her post, Amy expressed gratitude to those sending prayers for their family, noting they are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. “The kids are doing their best to support us,” she mentioned, asking that people refrain from discussing the situation with them for now.
Askren, who boasts a record of 19-2 in MMA, retired from the UFC in 2019.
At 40, he was a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at the University of Missouri, finishing his college career with an impressive record of 153-8.
He represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics and held welterweight titles in both Bellator MMA and One Championship before joining the UFC later in his career in 2019.
In the UFC, he had a record of 1-2, with his sole victory coming against former champion Robbie Lawler. He also had a notable boxing match where he lost to Jake Paul in April 2021.
