Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant. His wife, Amy, confirmed this, stating it followed a period in hospital where he was in a life-threatening condition.
The 40-year-old former welterweight champion was hospitalized earlier this month due to severe pneumonia caused by a staph infection.
He was in critical condition in a Las Vegas hospital, and at one point, was unresponsive, according to Amy.
Following some minor positive updates from his wife, friends, and past opponents, the news of the transplant brings significant relief.
Amy Askren revealed the surgery had taken place for the ex-MMA star.
She described the transplant as a “gift,” expressing eternal gratitude to the donor and their family. She asked fans to keep Ben in their thoughts as his body adapts to the new organs.
In a statement, she wrote: “We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant. We are forever thankful to the donor and his family.
“This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift.
“It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly.”
She added: “Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own. I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can’t wait to tell Ben all about it.
“I’m hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off.”
Askren, known for his wrestling background including the 2008 Olympics, retired from MMA in November 2019 after his UFC run (1 win, 2 losses).
He made a brief return to combat sports in April 2021 for a highly-promoted boxing match against Jake Paul, which he lost by first-round knockout.
The fight against YouTuber Paul generated 500,000 pay-per-view purchases.
Paul, then 24, secured the TKO victory just under two minutes into the first round.
Elton Marrow