There is a path to get ahead for UFC star Ben Askren.
Earlier this month, the former Bellator and one world champion was in critical state after a serious Staph infection and pneumonia. Askren was recently admitted to the hospital in Wisconsin.
Able to open his eyes and show response, Ben Askren needs a life-saving lung transplantation, which receives prayers and support from many in the MMA and wrestling community.
Askren, 40, is a father of three and a husband. His wife Amy has provided updates during this period.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ben now on a transplantation list for new lung
On Tuesday, Amy Askren offered a positive update about the retired UFC hunter.
“From last night Ben is officially on the transplant list,” Askren posted on Facebook.
“Please pray that he can get stronger and stable without complications while he waits, and that they find a great match for him and he accepts it smoothly. Also pray for whom that donor can be, and his family.
“It will be a huge adjustment for Ben, but our family is so grateful that his other organs are in order and that there is a path ahead. Although he has more periods of consciousness, he cannot yet look at his phone and respond to messages. I hope he can get there the following week or two.
“Also in the hope that we will soon be in a place where he can talk while he can talk on a trach.”
Askren went on.
“Yesterday he kept watching something for a while and we finally discovered that he said coffee! (He can't have it yet fun) what a huge relief to see him ask for something like that.
“I am so grateful that his mind is healthy and I can't wait to have him back. We are also so grateful for the great community we have – from good friends, friends with whom we have not spoken to 20+ years, to strangers who have contacted or pray. Thanks.”
Ben Askren has been unbeaten in MMA for ten years
From his first professional fight in 2009 to his UFC debut against Robbie Lawler in 2019, Askren has never lost anyone.
In 2019, 'Funky' hardly lost a round prior to back-to-back to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia.
Askren took world titles in both Bellator MMA and one championship, where he defeated the will of Douglas Lima, Shinya Aoki, Andrey Koreshkov and Lyman Good.
Askren withdrew from MMA after his career-first entry loss to Maia in October 2019. The productive wrestler returned years later to the combat sports when he made his boxing debut against Jake Paul in 2021. Askren was made by the influencer boxer within the opening round.