When Corey Anderson first encountered Ben Askren, he was an accomplished college wrestler already accumulating numerous accolades. He had no idea how that meeting would profoundly change his entire life.
Impresssed by Anderson`s mindset and competitive approach, Askren—a two-time National Champion wrestler and 2008 Olympian—extended an invitation for Anderson to train with him and suggested he pursue a career in mixed martial arts. This influence proved significant, as Anderson began training under Askren before ultimately earning a spot on *The Ultimate Fighter* reality show. This served as a crucial launchpad for a career where he has remained one of the top light heavyweight fighters for the past decade and was the final 205-pound champion in Bellator history.
Askren is currently hospitalized, recovering from a severe case of pneumonia that required him to undergo a double lung transplant. While Askren`s wife, Amy, has been providing regular updates on his condition, Anderson admits that witnessing his friend and mentor go through such a challenging time has hit very close to home.
“It hits my wife more,” Anderson shared. “I`m not an emotional guy. But right now, just mentioning Ben`s name, tears well up behind my eyes. Every night, we include him in our prayers. When I come home from training, I often hear her on Zoom, and she always comes out with tears in her eyes.”
He added, “Anytime we discuss the situation, or someone posts something and she shows it to me, we start talking about it, and I can see how much she`s hurting.”
The reason why Anderson`s wife, Jennifer, is so deeply affected by Askren`s current medical situation is because he has played a significant role in both of their lives.
In fact, if not for Askren, Anderson and his wife might never have met.
“Not just my career, but my entire life wouldn`t be what it is without Ben,” Anderson stated. “That`s beyond just competing. That`s my life. I met my wife because of Ben Askren. I have two beautiful kids. I have a wife. I have a fight career. It truly feels like everything significant I have in my adult life originated because of Ben Askren.”
He explained, “This guy invited me to an MMA gym, and the very day I walked in, my wife was working behind the front desk. That`s our first meeting. Years later, we started a relationship, and she eventually moved here.”
After leaving his college in Wisconsin and transitioning to compete full-time in MMA, Anderson has traveled to numerous gyms for training camps, but Askren has remained a constant presence throughout his career.
Anderson mentioned that whenever he needs advice, Askren is consistently one of the first people he reaches out to.
“Every time we return home, we go visit Ben,” Anderson said. “If I face an issue in the fight game, even right now before my upcoming fight… my wife will tell me to message Ben. If it`s something like, `Ben, how can I promote myself better without compromising my values?` I`ll contact Ben. For anything, I turn to Ben when I have a problem.”
He clarified, “The two people I talk to are Ben Askren and Eddie Alvarez. They are the longest-tenured people in the game and the biggest mentors guiding me in the right direction, because they`ve seen and done it all.”
Anderson admitted the past few weeks with Askren hospitalized have been difficult, but the former Bellator and ONE champion remains constantly in his thoughts and prayers.
Even as he prepares for his upcoming return to action at the PFL Africa card next Saturday, Anderson never stops thinking about how Askren is doing as he continues to recover from the transplant.
Most of all, Anderson eagerly awaits the day he can simply pick up the phone and hear Askren`s voice on the other end again.
“[Ben Askren] essentially directed me towards the life I have today – from my wife, from MMA, the first MMA gym I ever attended, coaching me in college and helping me reach the NCAA National Finals,” Anderson recounted. “He`s done so many different things, even showing me hunting spots for my hunting channel. It`s all thanks to Ben. There`s not much you can do to help physically.”
He concluded, “I just want to call and talk to him. Even if he can`t respond. Just witness to him. It`s a strange situation. You just keep praying on it and hoping he comes out okay.”
