What Happened to Ben Askren? From Life Support to Recovery
Ben Askren built a name in wrestling and MMA by staying calm under pressure. In 2025, that mindset helped him survive something far tougher than a fight.
He spent nearly two months in a hospital bed, unable to breathe on his own, losing 50 pounds, and relying on machines to keep him alive.
Here’s what happened to Ben Askren, and how he’s fighting back.
A Sudden Collapse
In late May 2025, Askren was admitted to a hospital in Wisconsin.
He had developed a severe staph infection that triggered pneumonia. His lungs filled with fluid. He struggled to breathe. The damage became permanent.
Doctors diagnosed him with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that scars lung tissue and makes breathing impossible without outside help.
His condition quickly became life-threatening.
Life Support and Close Calls
By June, he was placed on a ventilator.
He was also connected to ECMO, a machine that pumps blood outside the body to give the heart and lungs a break.
He flatlined four times. His heart stopped for 20 seconds each time.
He later said he has no memory of what happened between May 28 and early July.
On the Transplant List
Askren’s lungs were too damaged to recover.
Doctors added him to the double-lung transplant list on June 24.
His insurance denied coverage for the transplant.
His family and fans stepped in. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $2 million to cover surgery and recovery costs.
By late June, he received the transplant. The fight wasn’t over—but the tide had turned.
The Road to Recovery
On July 22, Ben was sent home. He had spent 59 days in the hospital.
He appeared in a video to thank fans and supporters. He spoke clearly, but slowly. He admitted he couldn’t walk without help and would need to re-learn basic movements.
Despite the trauma, his outlook was calm.
“I never smoked. I’ve been healthy my whole life. But I know I can’t stay angry. I have to move forward.”
His wife, Amy, said he was “too close to dying, a few times.”
Who Is Ben Askren?
If you followed MMA, wrestling, or even YouTube boxing, you’ve seen his name before.
-
Ben Askren was Born in 1984, raised in Wisconsin.
-
NCAA wrestling champion at the University of Missouri.
-
Competed in the 2008 Olympics.
-
Went 19–2 in MMA, fighting for Bellator, ONE Championship, and UFC.
-
Retired in 2019.
-
Briefly returned for a boxing match vs Jake Paul in 2021 (lost in Round 1).
-
Co-runs a youth wrestling academy and hosts podcasts.
Askren has always been known for his calm mindset, wrestling-first style, and blunt honesty.
Why This Matters
Askren’s story hits harder than a highlight reel.
-
A world-class athlete went from healthy to fighting for life in weeks.
-
He survived four cardiac arrests and weeks on machines.
-
His story raised awareness about medical costs, support systems, and what recovery really takes.
Askren never asked for sympathy. He shared updates when he was strong enough.
He thanked everyone who donated, visited, or helped keep his family going.
What’s Next to Ben Askren?
He’s focused on rehab.
-
Regaining strength
-
Re-learning how to walk independently
-
Breathing without equipment
-
Long-term therapy
His mindset remains the same: small steps forward.
He says he hopes to live a long life, stay active, and eventually return to coaching and podcasting.
Questions for You
-
How would you react if you woke up after 40+ days with no memory?
-
Do you have the support you’d need in a crisis?
-
Can mindset help in real-life struggles beyond sports?
Ben Askren’s comeback isn’t about championships anymore. It’s about waking up. Standing up. Rebuilding.
The fight’s not over. But he’s still here.
And that’s a win.