By all accounts, Ben Askren was supposed to be enjoying retirement.
The former Olympic wrestler and one-time UFC welterweight contender had traded in his gloves for a new venture—Real American Freestyle, a fresh take on Greco-Roman wrestling founded with none other than Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. It wasn’t pro wrestling. It was real wrestling. And it was supposed to be his next chapter.
Instead, within weeks of the May 4 announcement, Askren was clinging to life.
In a staggering health scare that blindsided even his inner circle, Askren developed severe double pneumonia and required an emergency double lung transplant. He flatlined multiple times. In his words, his “ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.” His wife Amy later revealed he had been on both a ventilator and ECMO—a heart-lung bypass machine—while doctors raced to stabilize him.
Askren said he didn't remember anything from the end of May to July 2nd. Askren said in a video update he had "no idea what was going on.”
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren "more motivated than ever to get back"
What was going on was nothing short of a miracle in the making. Askren fought at 170 pounds, but walked around at around 200 pounds.
The once-dominant athlete plummeted to just 147 pounds, losing over 50 pounds across a 40-day window while sedated and unresponsive. He had to be evaluated and accepted for one of the most difficult transplant procedures in modern medicine. And somehow, he made it.
Askren, the undefeated Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder, may be best remembered for a single flying knee from Jorge Masvidal. But real fans know: this guy was a grinder, a tactician, and a walking example of toughness. Now? He’s the embodiment of something even greater—resilience.
In the same breath he used to share his ordeal, Askren thanked the wrestling and MMA community for their support. “It felt so good,” he said. “I’m more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can.”
He may not be in fight shape yet, but Ben Askren is alive. And after dying four times in a matter of weeks, that’s the biggest win of his life.
We wish him strength, healing, and an awesome comeback.