Dana White is open about his involvement in Ben Askren's medical treatment, despite an apparent discomfort to do this.
The UFC boss had its fighting on the microphone and via social media with Askren over the years. But when the former Bellator and the health fights of one championship star and the subsequent financial burdens became public, White was one of the first to encourage donations and to share the Helphopelive of his family.
And although a large part of the social media discourse of the week did not surround claims that Jake Paul paid $ 500,000 for Askren's double lung transplantation, no figures have been confirmed by the Askren family. This does indeed include the costs of the procedure or involvement of White, if present.
Dana White opens over donating to Ben Askren
Following UFC Nashville, UFC boss Dana White was asked to clarify whether he had made a donation to Ben Askren's family during his struggle with pneumonia that led him to have a double lung transplantation. The insurance company of the Olympian deny his claim, so he had to finance the process from his own pocket.
Double lung transplants are some of the most expensive procedures that can be undergone in American medicine. According to a report of 2025 from Milliman that was summarized about Helphopelive, the costs without insurance can reach up to more than $ 2.3 million.
During his press conference after the fight after his fight with Julio Cesar Chavez JR, Jake Paul implied that White had not been involved. But apart from the names that are publicly available on Helphopelive, there is no way to know who donated.
White seemed uncomfortable with the question, and did not want to use the situation to save itself as the day before the former hunter. He is known for quietly helping people in the MMA community, and last week he quietly donated to the family of a Late PFL employee last week.
“I usually don't talk about that stuff, but yes, I did,” White replied when he asked Point Blank if he had financially supported Askren. “I did.
“I mean, we were contacted with his wife as soon as we heard her and told her” if there is something you need '. And yes, I did, yes. I just don't like talking about that – that is between us, but yes. “
Ben Askren's latest video update showed important improvements
When Askren left his first video message from his hospital bed earlier this week, fans were Van Streek to see how much of a toll had taken in the past month and a half. He had lost about 50 pounds and seemed to struggle seriously when he thanked fans and became emotional about the tribute to him by friends.
However, he came up with a second, more challenging video on Saturday with fans in much higher spirits. He had shaved and cut his hair and generally looked healthier when he stated that he would soon leave the hospital and that his dependence on tubes went down.
“I'm going to argue, I felt guilty once for myself,” he said. “And nobody does anything good. I thought:
“Then I realized, it happened. So I can be bitter and angry, I could whining and crying, but that will not help anyone. I am where I am now and I will continue the best that I can do.
“So I hope you enjoy the updates, I will not feel sorry for myself, I will leave here soon, so I hope you have a great day. Peace.”