Former UFC star Ben Askren shared an emotional video of a hospital bed after having undergone a double lung transplant.
Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant and was in a critical condition after a serious case of pneumonia was developed earlier this year by a Staph infection. Askren's wife, Amy, has placed routine updates about his health status and what the next step is in his long way to recovery.
Askren, who won world titles in one and Bellator, was central to the support of the combat sports world, including messages from former Rivals Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal. For a long time, friend and teammate Corey Anderson shared an emotional tribute to Askren earlier this week.
For the first time since his long fighting fighting, Askren was able to speak from a hospital bed to give an update about his recovery.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Ben Askren places emotional video message in the first explanation since the hospital
In a recent message to Instagram, Askren broke his silence for the first time since his health struggle began.
🥺❤️ Ben Askren pronounces for the first time.
He saw all the support 🎥 @BenaskRen pic.twitter.com/GWV1Z2WPF1
– Home of Fight (@home_of_fight) July 9, 2025
“What is boys! I haven't given an update for a while, thought you earned one,” started Askren.
“I have just read my wife's diary because I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2, no memory. No idea what happened. We'll all go through it, and I just read my wife's diary, and it's like a movie … I only died four times when the ticker is about 20 seconds, that is not ideal side of the other side, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side of the other, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side, the other side of the other side of the other side, the other side of one side, one side of the other side, one side of one side, one side one side, one side one side of one side one side, one side one side, one side one side one side of one side one. I was actually on the scale yesterday, 147 pounds.
“So that was a struggle. And I don't remember the most. And the thing that was the most impactful for me was all the love I felt of everyone. And it is almost like I got my own funeral. I remember 30 years ago, [Olympic wrestler] Dave Schulz died and you listen to all these people remember how much they enjoyed him and how much they loved him. It is clear that he never had to hear that, I am sure some people told him, “Ascren continued.” So the outpouring of love of the wrestling community, it's just great. I felt so good. I am more motivated than ever to keep giving back and doing what I can do, and to help in any way I can help. I love you, I appreciate you, it was difficult, not only on me, but also my whole family and my close community. So I appreciate everything, and I hope you appreciate the update, and sometimes on the road, maybe Amy and I can detail everything more. “
Many of Askren's friends, family and supporters swarmed to send support support in the comments from the post.
“We love your buddy! You are a hunter, that's why you fight back! Thank good we still have you,” Daniel Cormier posted.
“Get well soon, champion!” The social media account of the Professional Fighters League said.
“Keep fighting, am. You have this. You will stay in my prayers,” said martial artist and actor Chuck Norris.
“You have this Ben !!! We have for your prayer brother. What a fighter. God bless you and your whole family,” said UFC commentator Laura Sanko.
'[hearts]”Said Joe Rogan.
“Legendary comeback am !!!” Former UFC champion Carla Esparza said.
Askren received the double lung transplantation on 30 June, as his wife Amy announced in a recent post on social media. Last month the UFC led a highlight -Reel -Teart to Askren during the UFC Atlanta broadcast.
Joe Rogan, Chuck Norris, Daniel Cormier among people with messages for Ben Askren
Askren is one of the most decorated hunters in the MMA history with world title profits in one and Bellator. He was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American Wrestler at the University of Missouri before he focused his full-time attention on MMA.
Since he retired at MMA, Askren went to coaching wrestling in Wisconsin and has organized a weekly podcast at UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. He went 1-2 in the UFC Octagon with a victory over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235.
There are various campaigns to raise money for Askren and his family during this difficult time. A funky strong, funky cool t-shirt has made the rounds online, with 100% of the proceeds to Askren's medical costs and recovery.