In a heart-wrenching yet inspiring video shared from his hospital bed on July 9, 2025, former UFC star and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren broke his silence for the first time since undergoing a life-saving double lung transplant. The 40-year-old, known as “Funky” in the MMA and wrestling communities, delivered an emotional update that left fans, fighters, and friends across the globe in tears, while showcasing the indomitable spirit that made him a champion both in and out of the ring.

Askren’s health saga began in late May 2025, when a severe staph infection spiraled into a life-threatening case of pneumonia. Hospitalized in his home state of Wisconsin, he was placed in a medically induced coma, his condition so dire that his heart stopped four times—each pause lasting about 20 seconds. “I only died four times,” Askren quipped with his signature wry humor in the Instagram video, a testament to his resilience despite the harrowing ordeal. Weighing just 147 pounds—a weight he hadn’t seen since his teenage wrestling days—Askren revealed he lost 50 pounds over 45 days and has no memory of events from May 28 to July 2.

The road to recovery was paved with challenges. After weeks on a ventilator and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Askren’s survival hinged on a double lung transplant, a procedure his insurance initially denied. Thanks to a generous donor and a crowdfunding campaign spearheaded by his wife, Amy, and supported by the MMA and wrestling communities, the surgery was a success in late June. Amy’s regular updates kept fans informed, but it was Ben’s own words that struck a chord, as he spoke of the overwhelming love and support that made him feel as though he’d “attended his own funeral.”

“The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was amazing—it felt so good,” a teary-eyed Askren said, pausing to manage a cough. “I’m more motivated than ever to give back and do what I can. I love you guys. I appreciate you.” His words resonated deeply, drawing heartfelt responses from MMA legends like Daniel Cormier, who wrote, “We love you, buddy. You’re a fighter, it’s why you’re fighting back,” and Michael Chandler, who called Askren “the toughest man I’ve ever been around.” Even Chuck Norris chimed in, commenting, “Keep fighting, Ben. You’ve got this.”

Askren’s journey is far from over. The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder, who retired from MMA in 2019 and faced Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021, is now focused on regaining strength and adapting to his new lungs. While a return to the Octagon seems unlikely, his passion for wrestling remains unshaken. As the founder of the Askren Wrestling Academy in Wisconsin, he’s determined to continue coaching and inspiring the next generation. “This has been tough, not only on me but my whole family and close community,” he said, vowing to share a more detailed account of his ordeal alongside Amy in the future.

The MMA and wrestling worlds have rallied around Askren, with figures like Joe Rogan, Henry Cejudo, and Laura Sanko flooding his post with messages of support. His story is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of community ties. For now, Askren’s focus is on recovery, but his emotional update has already redefined what it means to be a fighter—showing that true resilience extends far beyond the cage.

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