Former UFC fighter Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant more than three weeks ago, marking a significant moment after his initial hospitalization.
In a Facebook update shared Monday morning, Askren’s wife, Amy, announced that a donor had been found and that Ben successfully completed the surgery. “We are so grateful to share that Ben had a double lung transplant. We owe so much to the donor and their family,” she wrote. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ben, a gift with every new day. It’s honestly surreal to think he was perfectly healthy just five weeks ago.”
The 40-year-old former MMA champion was hospitalized in early June due to severe pneumonia stemming from a staphylococcal infection.
Amy and Ben have been married since 2010 and share three children.
“Let’s keep Ben in our prayers as he welcomes his new lungs,” Amy wrote in her post. “I’m incredibly thankful for all the support we are receiving. I can’t wait to share those words with Ben.” Her message also included pictures of encouraging notes placed in Askren’s hospital room.
While Askren’s recovery is ongoing, Amy conveyed a strong sense of hope in her words.
“We’re optimistic that in the coming weeks, Ben will be able to share his own updates, but we hope he takes it slow until the medications wear off,” she added.
Throughout his career, Askren maintained an MMA record of 19-2, including a title with Bellator. He had a brief stint in the UFC, where he went 1-2 before stepping away from the promotion in 2019.
A graduate of a university in Missouri, Askren was also a US Olympic wrestler in 2008. He faced Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021, suffering a TKO defeat in the first round, marking the only boxing match of his career.
