Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has received a double lung transplant in an encouraging update following his initial hospitalization more than three weeks ago.
In a Facebook post shared Monday morning, Askren’s wife, Amy, revealed that a donor for a new set of lungs was found, and Askren underwent a successful transplant procedure.
“We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant. We are forever thankful to the donor and his family,” Amy wrote. “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.”
The former MMA champion, 40, was hospitalized in early June with severe pneumonia that developed after a staph infection.
Askren and Amy share three children and have been married since 2010.
“Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own,” Amy added in Monday’s Facebook post. “I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can’t wait to tell Ben all about It.”
Amy’s post also included an image that featured encouraging notes and photos all over Askren’s hospital room walls.
Although Askren’s recovery is still a process, Amy expressed great optimism in her words.
“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,” she concluded her message.
Askren held a 19-2 MMA record across his career, including Bellator and ONE titles.
He had a very brief UFC career, going 1-2 before retiring from the promotion in 2019.
Askren wrestled in college at Missouri and was a U.S. Olympian in 2008 on the freestyle wrestling team.
He notably took on Jake Paul in a 2021 boxing match, losing by TKO in the first round, in the only boxing bout of his entire fighting career.