Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren is recovering after undergoing a double lung transplant in Wisconsin, following a life-threatening case of pneumonia that left him hospitalized for over a month. Askren shared an emotional update from his hospital bed, revealing he has no memory of the period from late May through early July.
"No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened," he said, explaining he only learned the details by reading his wife Amy’s journal. During this ordeal, Askren’s heart stopped four times, each for about 20 seconds, and he lost around 50 pounds over 45 days.
Askren’s condition deteriorated rapidly in June, leading to his placement on a ventilator and the donor list for a lung transplant by June 24. His family turned to crowdfunding to help cover the costs, and a significant donation made the transplant possible. Askren described the experience as surreal, saying, "It's like a movie, it's ridiculous. I only died four times."
He expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting, "The thing that was most impactful to me was all the love I felt from everybody, and it's almost like I got to have my own funeral".
The 40-year-old, who runs a youth wrestling academy in Wisconsin, is a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, 2008 Olympian, and former MMA champion in Bellator and ONE Championship. He retired from MMA in 2019 but briefly returned for a boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021. Now, Askren is focused on recovery and rebuilding his strength after this life-altering medical crisis.
