There`s hopeful progress regarding former UFC fighter Ben Askren`s health.
Earlier this month, the former Bellator and ONE champion was critically ill due to a severe staph infection and pneumonia, requiring hospitalization in Wisconsin.
Although he is now able to open his eyes and show responsiveness, Ben Askren urgently needs a life-saving lung transplant. He is receiving prayers and support from the MMA and wrestling community.
Askren, 40, is a husband and father of three. His wife, Amy, has been providing updates on his condition.
Ben Askren Added to Lung Transplant Waiting List
On Tuesday, Amy Askren shared a positive development regarding the retired UFC fighter.
“As of late last night, Ben is officially on the transplant list,” Amy Askren posted on Facebook.
“Please pray he can get stronger and stay stable without complications while he waits, and that they find an amazing match for him and he accepts it smoothly. Also please pray for whoever that donor may be, and his family.”
“It’s going to be a huge adjustment for Ben, but our family is so thankful that his other organs are ok and that there is a path forward. While he is having more periods of awareness, he’s not able to look at his phone yet and respond to messages. I am hoping he can get there in the next week or two.”
“Also hoping we will get to a place soon where he can talk while on a trach.”
Amy shared a heartwarming moment:
“Yesterday he kept mouthing something for a while and we finally figured out he was saying coffee!” (He is currently unable to have coffee). She described it as “a huge relief to see him asking for something so normal.”
She expressed gratitude that “his mind is healthy” and looks forward to having him “back.” She also thanked their “amazing community” for support, including close friends, old friends, and strangers who shared stories or offered prayers.
Ben Askren`s Decade-Long Undefeated MMA Career
From his professional debut in 2009 up to his UFC debut against Robbie Lawler in 2019, Ben Askren maintained an undefeated record.
In fact, “Funky” rarely lost individual rounds before suffering back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia in 2019.
Askren secured world championships in both Bellator MMA and ONE Championship, with notable victories over fighters such as Douglas Lima, Shinya Aoki, Andrey Koreshkov, and Lyman Good.
Askren retired from mixed martial arts following his first career submission loss to Maia in October 2019. He later returned to combat sports for a boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021, where he was TKO`d in the opening round.
