Ben Askren Shares Update After Double Lung Transplant: "I Came Close to Dying"
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has made a triumphant return home after an intense battle with severe pneumonia that resulted in a double lung transplant. The 40-year-old athlete announced his release from the hospital on Tuesday, capturing the heartfelt moment in a video shared from his car, with his supportive wife, Amy, at the wheel.
In his emotional update, Askren revealed that he lost 50 pounds during his hospital stay and faced life-threatening challenges. "I’m out, with my beautiful wife," he stated in the video. "It’s been a long journey, and it’s still not over because I’m still learning to walk again." He reflected on his near-death experience, asking Amy about how critical his condition had been. "Too close. A few times," she replied.
Askren continued, "I don’t remember 35 days of this journey, but I believe my surgery was 24-25 days ago. It was incredibly tough. Your support—whether through GoFundMe, helping my kids and wife, or just sending love—meant the world to me. Friends traveled from across the country to visit, and that support helped me immensely. I’m hopeful I won’t find myself in this situation again any time soon because I plan to live a long time."
In a previous video, Askren described the experience as "like a movie," admitting that he had no recollection of the critical period between May 28 and July 2. "I only died four times, where my heart stopped for about 20 seconds," he shared, emphasizing the severity of his condition.
Following the successful double lung transplant, Askren expressed his determination to regain strength. "I weighed in at 147 pounds yesterday—something I haven’t done since I was 15 years old. It’s been a battle, but I’m making progress," he said.
In early July, Amy Askren had asked for prayers as her husband awaited a lung donor. As he continues to recover, Askren has also signed on with Real American Freestyle, a venture aimed at popularizing professional freestyle wrestling, led by Hulk Hogan.
Ben Askren’s athletic achievements include being a two-time NCAA champion in the 170-pound division (2006 and 2007) and competing for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics. He also won gold medals at the 2005 Pan American Championships and the 2009 World Championships.
Askren transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2010, debuting in Bellator before competing in ONE Championship and the UFC. He notably fought Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 and faced Jorge Masvidal, as well as Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021, where he was knocked out in the first round.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
