Ben Askren, the former MMA fighter and Olympic wrestler, recently shared his first update after undergoing a double lung transplant due to pneumonia.
In videos he posted on Instagram on Wednesday, the 40-year-old mentioned feeling confused about the timeline from May 28 to July 2, sharing insights through his wife Amy’s personal journal.
“It’s like something out of a movie. It’s just ridiculous,” he remarked in one of the clips, noting that he “died” four times when his heart briefly stopped. “That’s not normal. But yeah, I had a double lung transplant,” he added.
Askren revealed he dropped to 147 pounds during this period, losing 50 pounds within just 45 days.
Now that he’s awake, he expressed gratitude for the “pouring of love” from his supporters, saying, “I’m more motivated than ever. I’ll keep doing what I can for you.” He conveyed his love and appreciation, adding, “This was a pivotal moment not just for me but for my family and community.”
Amy Askren had kept fans updated on his condition, encouraging thoughts and prayers. In late June, she announced that a donor had been found, and the transplant surgery was a success.
She wrote, “We are incredibly grateful to share that Ben had a double lung transplant. We owe everything to the donor and their family. This marks the start of a new chapter for Ben, a gift for every new day he gets to enjoy.” It’s hard to believe he was perfectly healthy just five weeks ago.
Throughout his career, Askren maintained a 19-2 MMA record, competing in organizations like Bellator and winning a title. His UFC stint was brief—he ended with a 1-2 record before retiring in 2019.
Additionally, Askren represented the US as part of the wrestling team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
