Ben Askren Well being Replace: UFC Fighter ‘Died 4 Occasions’ Throughout Pneumonia Battle
UFC fighter and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren is sharing an replace after being hospitalized with extreme pneumonia.
In a video filmed from his hospital mattress and shared through Instagram on Wednesday, July 9, Aksren, 40, stated he “died 4 occasions” and had a double lung transplant after falling significantly sick.
Askren’s spouse, Amy, first revealed he was hospitalized with pneumonia and “preventing” for his life in early June.
“I don’t bear in mind something from Might 28 to July 2. No recollection. No concept what occurred,” Askren stated within the video. “I simply learn by my spouse’s journal. It’s like a film. It’s ridiculous.”
Askren quipped, “I solely died 4 occasions” throughout his hospital keep, including, “The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”
The blended martial artist is now on the mend after present process a double lung transplant, nevertheless, he famous that he has misplaced a big quantity of weight whereas hospitalized.
“[I’m] 147 kilos. I haven’t been 147 kilos since 15 years previous,” he shared. “I misplaced like 50 kilos in a 45-day interval.”
Askren described the final month as “nearly like I received to have my very own funeral,” noting how touched he was by the help and he and his household have acquired during the last month.

“The factor that was most impactful for me was the love I felt from everyone,” he stated. “You take heed to all these individuals recollect how a lot they get pleasure from you, how a lot they love you. The outpouring of affection from the wrestling group was superb. It felt so good.”
Askren concluded the video by sharing that he hoped to finally element what occurred throughout his month-long hospitalization.
Askren’s spouse, Amy, first revealed his well being scare through Fb on June 7. “You’ll have heard that my husband Ben goes by one thing,” she wrote. “He developed extreme pneumonia which got here on very instantly. He’s presently within the hospital and unable to reply to something presently. We welcome all prayers for therapeutic and for peace. We try to maintain life as regular as attainable for our youngsters presently and doing our greatest to help them thoughtfully so please chorus from discussing it with them for now.”
Two days later, Amy urged her mates and followers to “preserve praying for Ben.”
Askren and Amy share three kids, together with daughters Alex, 12, and Andi, 9, and son Ozi, 7.