Ben Askren on Wednesday appeared on camera to share a message with his fans for the first time since his significant health scare.
Askren, 40, has been hospitalized for over a month after falling ill with “severe pneumonia” that resulted from a staph infection. He became so ill that he needed a double lung transplant in order to improve his health condition.
On Wednesday, Askren posted a video to his Instagram in which he spoke about his health situation. The former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion said he “died four times” during the entire ordeal. He also says he does not remember anything from May 28-July 2.
“What’s up guys? Had not given you an update for a while. Figure you deserve one,” Askren said in the video. “Whenever this is all the way over, I just read through my wife’s journal because I don’t remember anything from May 28 to July 2. No recollection. Zero idea. No idea what happened.
“I just read through my wife’s journal, it’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. So I only died four times where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. I got the double lung transplant. I made it out to the other side of it. Gaining strength. I was actually on the scale yesterday. 147 pounds. I haven’t been 147 pounds since 15 years old. That was a battle, and I don’t remember most of it.”
Askren then said the one positive from the health scare was being able to feel the love from his friends, fans and family. He compared the experience to living one’s funeral.
“The thing that was most impactful to me was the love that I felt from everybody. It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. … so the outpouring of love was amazing, felt so good. I’m more motivated than ever to give back and do what I can and help out the best I can help out. I love you guys, I appreciate you guys. This has been tough on not only me, but my whole family,” Askren said.
Askren is an accomplished wrestler and MMA fighter. He was a two-time Division I wrestling champion for Missouri and then became an Olympic wrestler. He went into MMA after his wrestling career and was 19-2 with one no contest. He went from February 2009-March 2019 without losing an MMA fight.
🥺❤️ Ben Askren speaks out for the first time.
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 9, 2025
He saw all of the support 🎥 @Benaskren pic.twitter.com/gwv1Z2WPf1
