Former UFC fighter Ben Askren’s medical issues have shocked the MMA community and fans. But now, thanks to a successful double lung transplant and a fighting spirit that refuses to quit, ‘Funky’ Ben Askren is alive, recovering—and once again proving why he’s one of the toughest men to ever step into a cage.
Just about a month ago, Askren’s wife alerted the MMA world that her husband was dealing with severe medical issues due to a staph infection that took a turn for the worse.
Askren was going to need a double lung translate and needed help.
That’s when Jake Paul (and others) stepped up, promising a major donation to help fund the life-saving procedure.
There’s less than 2 months between these two photos,Ben Askren’s sudden health issues show how everything can change in an instant one day you’re perfectly fine doing what you love and the next you suddenly get sick lose 50 lbs and need a life saving transplant don’t take life… pic.twitter.com/OuiDBPFf1E
— Benny P 🇦🇺 (@Bendaman2001) July 10, 2025
Paul, speaking after his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., made an emotional plea: “I want to help Ben. He needs this surgery and I’m going to make a sizeable donation to make sure he gets it. We might’ve fought, but the fight he’s in now is way more important.”
Askren’s wife Amy later confirmed the transplant was a success, and in a gut-punching update from his hospital bed, the wrestling legend himself broke the internet with a video, stating: “I only died four times.”
Now, as Askren takes his first steps on a long road to recovery, support hasn’t just continued—it’s intensified. Fighters, fans, even former rivals have come together in a way that reminds everyone what makes the combat sports community so unique.
Jorge Masvidal — the man who handed Askren one of the most devastating knockouts in UFC history — delivered a raw, heartfelt message that stunned fans.
“This goes out to the one and only, Ben Askren. What’s up my brother, I know we were rivals in the ring, I just want to say God bless you, when I get back to America, if I could come and shake your hand, brother, and just share a prayer with you, it’d be amazing,” Masvidal said in a video shared to social media.
“I know you’re gonna pull through this because you’re a f—— warrior, brother. God bless, your story is crazy inspirational what you’re going through right now, hoping to get back and just being able to shake your hand,” he added.
Dana White praised Askren as an “unbelievable” warrior. UFC legend Daniel Cormier jumped in, saying: “We love you buddy! You’re a fighter it’s why you are fighting back! Thank God we still have you.”
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Former pro MMA fighter and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren developed a staph infection that led to severe pneumonia.
After weeks of fighting for his life, he underwent a successful double lung transplant
He’s now awake and speaking for the first time pic.twitter.com/Zc59Ff4X7Y
— Dudes Posting Their W’s (@DudespostingWs) July 9, 2025
