Former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion Ben Askren faced a life-threatening health crisis in 2025, undergoing a double lung transplant after a severe bout of pneumonia complicated by a staph infection. As of mid-2025, he is alive and in recovery, but his fighting career is over.
What Happened to Ben Askren? The Health Scare in Detail
In mid-2025, news outlets reported that Ben Askren had been hospitalized with a sudden and severe case of pneumonia. The infection, which was linked to a staph infection, caused rapid lung damage and lung failure, placing him in intensive care.
According to reports from CNN, his wife Amy stated that Askren was placed on life support, including ECMO and a ventilator, as his condition deteriorated. After weeks in the hospital, he received a donor double lung transplant in late June 2025.
Askren himself later shared details of the ordeal with CBS Sports, revealing he had lost about 50 pounds in 45 days and that his heart stopped four times during the hospitalization. He also said he did not remember much of that period.
Northeastern University described the episode as a cautionary tale about pneumonia linked to a staph infection. Askren spent approximately 45 days in intensive care with lung failure before receiving the transplant.
What happened medically
CNN reported that Amy Askren confirmed her husband was hospitalized with severe lung damage from pneumonia. He was placed on life support and eventually received a donor lung transplant. CBS Sports reported that Askren had lost approximately 50 pounds in 45 days and suffered four cardiac arrests. Northeastern University noted the illness was a cautionary case of pneumonia complicated by a staph infection.
Later reporting in August 2025 indicated he had returned home after a long hospital stay but still faced setbacks, including a possible infection related to a chest tube, as noted by the Times of India.
What Is Ben Askren’s UFC Record and Full MMA Career History?
Before his health scare, Ben Askren built a notable career in combat sports. He is a former Olympic wrestler, a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Missouri, and a champion in both Bellator and ONE Championship before joining the UFC.
Askren made his UFC debut in 2019, where he defeated Robbie Lawler. He then suffered back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, retiring shortly after with an overall professional record of 19-2-1. He had three fights in the UFC, going 1-2.
Wrestling and Early Life
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 18, 1984, Askren was a standout wrestler. He won back-to-back NCAA Division I championships at the University of Missouri and represented the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His amateur wrestling background and Olympic experience are central to his public profile.
He later founded the Askren Wrestling Academy with his brother Max in 2013. For another story of survival in combat sports, read about Christy Martin – Boxing Career, Attack Survival and New Life.
Bellator and ONE Championship
After transitioning to mixed martial arts, Askren became the Bellator welterweight champion, successfully defending his title multiple times. He then moved to ONE Championship, where he also won the welterweight title and remained undefeated during his tenure there.
Boxing Match with Jake Paul
After retiring from MMA in 2019, Askren fought Jake Paul in a 2021 boxing match. He lost by first-round TKO.
Key Insights
- Askren’s career is defined by elite wrestling and undefeated runs in Bellator and ONE Championship.
- His legacy is also marked by a controversial KO loss to Jorge Masvidal in the UFC.
- Askren nearly died from a severe lung infection (pneumonia) in 2025, requiring an emergency double lung transplant.
- Despite retiring from MMA in 2019, he remains a highly searched figure due to his health scare and ongoing media appearances.
Fast Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Michael Askren |
| Nickname | Funky |
| Born | July 18, 1984 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) |
| College | University of Missouri (NCAA Div I Wrestling) |
| Olympics | 2008 Beijing Olympics (US Freestyle Wrestling) |
| Pro MMA Record | 19-2-0 (1 NC) |
| Title Reigns | Bellator WW (2010-2013), ONE FC WW (2013-2017) |
| UFC Record | 1-2-0 |
| Notable Losses | Jorge Masvidal (UFC 239, flying knee KO), Demian Maia (submission) |
| Health Event | 2025: Severe pneumonia -> double lung transplant |
Where Is Ben Askren Now? His Life and Plans for 2026
As of 2025, Ben Askren is alive and in recovery from his double lung transplant. He has returned home after a long hospital stay but continues to face health challenges. In a July 2025 update, he said he was regaining strength and relearning basic functions after the transplant.
Askren has stated that he will likely not be “actively competitive” again physically, though he hopes to live a good life and stay involved in wrestling in a non-competitive role. Any potential return to combat sports in 2026 is unconfirmed and speculative.
He remains active on social media, providing personal updates to his followers. He is also a father of three children, and his wife Amy has been the main source of health updates throughout the 2025 illness and transplant recovery. For more on current MMA figures, see Paddy Baddy – Record, Next Fight, Biography and Facts 2026.
What Is Ben Askren’s Net Worth and Financial Status?
No reliable, source-based current net worth for Ben Askren could be verified from the provided research. Figures found online are often speculative and not audited.
His income would have been derived from multiple championship runs in Bellator and ONE Championship, UFC pay-per-view events, and post-fighting ventures like podcasting and coaching. However, specific financial figures are not publicly available.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1984: Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- 2006-2008: NCAA Division I Champion for Missouri (2x), 2008 Olympian.
- 2009: Pro MMA debut.
- 2010-2013: Bellator Welterweight Champion (multiple defenses).
- 2014-2017: ONE Championship Welterweight Champion. Undefeated run.
- 2019: UFC debut. Defeated Robbie Lawler. Lost to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Retired from MMA.
- 2021: Boxing match vs Jake Paul (TKO loss).
- 2025: Hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Underwent double lung transplant. Recovering at home.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Askren’s Situation?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ben Askren competed in the UFC and fought Jake Paul. | Exact details of his long-term health recovery are private. |
| He was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2025. | Whether he will actually compete in grappling or boxing in 2026 is unconfirmed. |
| He underwent a double lung transplant as a result of the infection. | His exact net worth is not publicly audited; figures are estimates. |
| He is retired from professional MMA. | His future involvement in competitive wrestling is not fully detailed. |
While Askren has stated he likely will not be “actively competitive,” the possibility of exhibition or grappling events remains speculative. No official announcements have been made regarding a fighting comeback.
Context: The Shift in Public Narrative
Askren’s near-death experience reshaped his public narrative from a fighter known for a controversial loss to Jorge Masvidal to a survivor of a serious medical crisis. This human-interest angle has driven significant search volume.
Despite a short UFC tenure of 1 win and 2 losses, Askren’s dominance in Bellator and ONE Championship cements him as one of the best welterweights outside the UFC during his prime. In 2025, searches shifted from “Ben Askren UFC record” to “Ben Askren health” and “lung transplant,” reflecting a major life event overriding athletic achievements in public interest.
Sources and Quotes
“Ben Askren set for first combat sports appearance since near-death experience – Approximately a year ago, Ben Askren came face-to-face with his mortality.”
— Sherdog
“Benjamin Michael Askren is an American professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer and Olympic wrestler.”
— ESPN / Wikipedia
Summary of Ben Askren’s Story
Ben Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion, survived a severe health crisis in 2025 requiring a double lung transplant. He is now recovering at home and has retired from active fighting. His legacy includes NCAA championships, title runs in Bellator and ONE Championship, and a brief UFC stint. For another story of survival in combat sports, read about Christy Martin – Boxing Career, Attack Survival and New Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ben Askren still alive?
Yes, Ben Askren is alive as of 2025. He survived a severe lung infection and underwent a double lung transplant.
Did Ben Askren lose to a flying knee?
Yes, he lost to Jorge Masvidal via flying knee KO in 4 seconds at UFC 239 in 2019.
Why did Ben Askren retire from MMA?
He retired in 2019 after back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, and due to lingering injuries.
How tall is Ben Askren?
Ben Askren is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
What was Ben Askren’s college wrestling background?
He won two NCAA Division I championships at the University of Missouri and competed in the 2008 Olympics.
What is Ben Askren’s full MMA record?
His professional MMA record is 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest.
Will Ben Askren fight again?
He has stated he likely will not be “actively competitive” again. Any return is unconfirmed.
Where did Ben Askren go to college?
He attended the University of Missouri, where he was a two-time NCAA wrestling champion.
What is Askren doing now in 2025?
He is recovering from his lung transplant at home and may explore coaching or media appearances.
For more on current MMA figures, see Paddy Baddy – Record, Next Fight, Biography and Facts 2026.
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Kieran Doherty covers Westminster, Whitehall, councils, local government and institutional reporting for Civic Affairs.