Ben Askren Undergoes Double Lung Transplant in Wisconsin

Ben Askren, a former MMA and UFC star, underwent a successful double lung transplant in Wisconsin on June 30 after being hospitalized in early June with severe pneumonia from a staph infection. His condition rapidly deteriorated, requiring ventilator and ECMO support before he was placed on the transplant list on June 24. Askren's wife, Amy, expressed gratitude to the donor and medical team and highlighted the swift turn from health to critical illness in just five weeks. The MMA community, including UFC President Dana White and former opponent Jake Paul, has shown support, with fundraising efforts underway to help cover uncovered medical expenses. Askren, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, 2008 Olympian, and former champion in Bellator, ONE, and UFC, retired from MMA in 2019 and boxed briefly in 2021. Amy asks for continued prayers as Ben begins his lengthy recovery and hopes he will soon update fans himself.