Ben Askren Recovers After Lung Transplant
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star, Ben Askren, is in the process of recovery after undergoing a double lung transplant. Askren, who was hospitalized in Wisconsin due to a severe case of pneumonia, shared the news through his social media on Wednesday. In a video posted on Instagram, Askren revealed that he has few memories of what happened during a period of one month, from the end of May to the beginning of July. His wife, Amy, had previously reported on social media that Askren was connected to a ventilator in June and was included on the donor list for a lung transplant on June 24.Askren reported that, during those six weeks, he remained mostly unconscious. “I just read my wife’s diary. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. I only died four times, where my heart stopped for about 20 seconds,” Askren commented. The 40-year-old fighter also mentioned that he lost around 50 pounds during the 45 days he was hospitalized.I don’t remember anything, no idea what happened.
Ben Askren
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Askren has primarily resided in Wisconsin, where he runs a wrestling academy for young people. Before his MMA career, he won consecutive NCAA titles in Missouri and competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics representing the United States. After his time in Olympic wrestling, Askren ventured into mixed martial arts, competing for Bellator, ONE Championship, and the UFC. He retired from MMA after a loss to Demian Maia in October 2019, with a record of 19-2 and one no contest. In April 2021, Askren briefly returned to combat sports, facing social media star Jake Paul in a boxing match. Paul won by technical knockout in the first round.What impacted me the most was all the love I felt. It was almost like I was having my own funeral.
Ben Askren
