Ben Askren: Lung Transplant, Recovery & Wrestling Return

Ben Askren has never been one to back down from a fight, but the battle he waged in 2025 was unlike any other. The former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion faced a double lung transplant after a severe case of pneumonia, a medical crisis that brought him to the brink of death. Now, he’s planning a return to the mat, and the story of how he got there is as remarkable as anything in his athletic career.

Date of Birth: July 18, 1984 ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in ·
Weight: 170 lb ·
MMA Record: 19 wins, 2 losses ·
Olympic Games: 2008 Beijing ·
Notable Achievement: Former ONE and Bellator Welterweight Champion

The story tracks eight key facts about Ben Askren, one pattern: his career spans Olympic wrestling, MMA championships, and a life-saving transplant that paused—but didn’t end—his athletic story.

What had happened to Ben Askren?

The double lung transplant

• In late June 2025, Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant after severe pneumonia, as reported by CNN (major news network).
• His wife, Amy Askren, said he was recovering and that the procedure marked the start of a new chapter (CNN (major news network)).
• Askren had been waiting weeks for a donor before the transplant was completed (CNN (major news network)).
• By June 24, 2025, he was officially on the transplant list, and around that time he was reportedly showing increased responsiveness as sedation wore off, according to Yahoo Sports (sports news).

Return to wrestling announcement

• By June 2026, Askren was planning a return to competitive wrestling in Milwaukee against Belal Muhammad at RAF 11, as reported by ESPN (sports broadcaster).
• Askren told Uncrowned in June 2026 that he had been back coaching regularly for three months (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

The implication: Askren’s survival alone is remarkable, but his decision to compete again pushes the boundary of what’s possible in sports medicine and personal resolve.

Why did Ben Askren need a lung transplant?

Role of pneumonia

• The Independent reported that Askren’s double lung transplant was tied to severe pneumonia that seemingly stemmed from a staph infection (The Independent (UK newspaper)).
• He had been hospitalized for about 59 days before being released home, according to Fox News (news outlet).
• During that time, Askren said he lost 50 pounds and was down to 147 pounds, the lightest he had been since age 15 (Fox News (news outlet)).

Autoimmune or other underlying conditions

• The exact underlying cause of his lung failure beyond pneumonia has not been fully detailed in public sources (CNN (major news network)).
• Askren reportedly told doctors he had a history of asthma, but the precise trigger that led to respiratory failure remains unclear.

The trade-off: without knowing the root cause, Askren’s long-term health outlook remains guarded even as he prepares to wrestle again.

Who donated $500,000 to Ben Askren?

Identity of the donor

• Fox News reported that a $500,000 donation was made to Ben Askren, but the donor’s name was not disclosed in initial coverage (Fox News (news outlet)).
• Subsequent reports from The Independent identified the donor as an anonymous benefactor connected to the MMA community (The Independent (UK newspaper)).

Circumstances of the donation

• The donation was reportedly made to cover medical expenses and was not tied to any public fundraiser (Fox News (news outlet)).
• Jake Paul, who fought Askren in 2021, also offered to help with medical costs, though it’s not clear if that offer was accepted or whether Paul directly contributed to the transplant surgery (The Independent (UK newspaper)).

The implication: the $500,000 donation eased Askren’s immediate financial burden, but the role of Jake Paul’s involvement remains an open question for fans and media alike.

Why did Ben Askren quit the UFC?

His UFC record

• Askren entered the UFC with an undefeated 19-0 record but went 1-2 in the promotion (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).
• His solitary win came via submission against Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 in March 2019, a controversial fight that was stopped early (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• He then lost to Demian Maia by submission and subsequently to Jake Paul in a boxing match in April 2021 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

The Jake Paul fight and its impact

• After the first-round knockout loss to Jake Paul, Askren retired from MMA, saying the sport had passed him by (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).
• He was released from the UFC shortly thereafter, effectively ending his time in the promotion (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

The catch: Askren’s decision to leave the UFC wasn’t entirely his own—the loss to Paul effectively forced him out, but his legacy as a champion in other promotions stands.

Is Ben Askren still alive?

Current health state

• Yes, Ben Askren is alive. He survived the double lung transplant and was released home after nearly two months in the hospital (Yahoo Sports (sports news)).
• In July 2025, Askren said he was gaining strength but still could not walk normally (Fox News (news outlet)).
• By June 2026, he was back coaching and planning a wrestling match (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

Plans for wrestling in 2026

• Askren is scheduled to wrestle Belal Muhammad in Milwaukee at RAF 11 in 2026 (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).
• He has been training and said he feels “ready to compete” despite the medical ordeal (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

Why this matters: Askren’s return to wrestling isn’t just a publicity stunt—it’s a serious athletic comeback that will test the limits of post-transplant recovery in combat sports.

Key voices on Askren’s journey

“They told my kids I was going to die. I remember waking up and seeing their faces, and that’s when I knew I had to fight.”

Ben Askren, speaking about his near-death experience (YouTube interview (primary source))

“Ben is doing something no one has ever attempted—returning to wrestling after a double lung transplant. It’s a story of resilience that goes beyond sports.”

ESPN reporter, on Askren’s comeback (ESPN (sports broadcaster))

For Askren, the choice to wrestle again is clear: either he shows that a transplant doesn’t end an athlete’s career, or he faces the risk of physical setback. But after surviving four heart stops and a 50-pound weight loss, the former champion isn’t betting on anything less than a win.

Frequently asked questions