Ben Askren ‘Died Four Times’ in Double Lung Transplant—Now on Road to Recovery
In an emotional Instagram video, former MMA champion and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren revealed he “died four times” during a harrowing 45-day fight with severe pneumonia caused by a staph infection. Doctors placed him on a ventilator, ECMO support, and ultimately performed a double lung transplant between May 28 and July 2.
When his heart flatlined for around 20 seconds—four separate occasions—Askren was clinically dead. He lost roughly 50 pounds, dropping to 147 lbs, a weight he hadn’t seen since his teenage years.
Askren’s First Update
He’s posted his first message from a Wisconsin hospital, acknowledging a loss of memory from late May to early July, which he’s rediscovering through his wife’s journals: “It’s like a movie… I only died four times”.
Grateful for love and support, Askren said:
“The thing that was most impactful… I got to have my own funeral.”
Now gaining strength daily, he hopes to return to coaching wrestling in Wisconsin.
Support Network & Funding
An anonymous $500,000 donation helped secure his transplant, and the combat sports world rallied around him. Legends like Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, and Tom Aspinall, as well as Dana White, publicly offered encouragement.
Askren’s Athletic Legacy
- Wrestling: Two-time NCAA champion, 2008 Olympic competitor
- MMA: Bellator & ONE welterweight champion; UFC record 1–2
- Boxing: Retired after losing a 2021 match to Jake Paul
Why It Matters
- Medical bravery: A double lung transplant is rare and high risk—Askren’s survival is extraordinary.
- Mental recovery: Overcoming physical trauma and memory loss while rebuilding health.
- Inspiring comeback arc: From the brink of death to renewed purpose—coaching, mentoring, and sharing his story.
Ben Askren's life was on the brink—but after four clinical deaths, a transplant, and profound weight loss, he's now recovering and regaining his strength. His emotional update and gratitude remind us that even at rock bottom, the fight isn't over.
