Former UFC fighter and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren is known for his grit inside the cage, but his latest battle took place far from any arena. At just 40 years old, Askren faced a terrifying medical emergency—severe pneumonia that led to a life-saving double lung transplant. His shocking ordeal has left fans and the MMA world stunned.
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A Sudden and Serious Health Crisis
According to his wife Amy, Askren was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, which rapidly escalated into a critical condition. The illness, triggered by a staph infection, severely damaged his lungs, eventually landing him on life support. What began as a routine infection soon became a race against time.
The infection compromised his lung function so severely that doctors had no choice but to place him on the transplant list. With his condition rapidly deteriorating, a double lung transplant became his only chance for survival.
The Alarming Severity of His Condition
Askren recently shared a candid video update from his hospital bed, offering a glimpse into the harrowing experience. In it, he revealed he lost nearly 50 pounds in just 45 days and experienced multiple cardiac arrests during his hospitalization.
Shockingly, Askren stated that he “died four times” during this ordeal. His body was pushed to the brink, showing just how deadly pneumonia can become—even for a former professional athlete at peak physical conditioning.
The Transplant and Life-Saving Timing
Askren underwent the double lung transplant in Wisconsin shortly after being placed on the transplant list. Within just one week, a suitable donor was found—a remarkably fast match that doctors say was critical to saving his life.
Due to the extent of his respiratory failure, he had been placed on a ventilator and was in critical condition. The transplant offered the only lifeline as traditional interventions, such as ECMO machines and mechanical ventilation, were no longer effective.
Why the Transplant Was the Only Option
Severe pneumonia had destroyed Askren’s lung tissue beyond repair. The illness likely led to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a dangerous condition in which the lungs become inflamed and fail to provide adequate oxygen. At that stage, lung transplantation becomes the last resort.
The combination of the initial staph infection and the rapid onset of pneumonia left his lungs incapable of recovery. With no other treatment option viable, doctors moved forward with the transplant.
Askren’s Road to Recovery
Currently, Askren is in recovery and receiving ongoing medical care. His wife continues to share updates on his progress, as fans and fellow athletes send messages of encouragement.
His ordeal is a powerful reminder of how even elite athletes can be blindsided by serious illnesses. It also underscores the life-saving power of modern medicine and the vital role organ donors play in giving others a second chance.
A New Chapter
While Askren’s recovery will be long and challenging—requiring lifelong medication and monitoring—his survival is nothing short of miraculous. His resilience and fighting spirit have been on full display throughout this unexpected battle.
Ben Askren’s story highlights the unpredictable nature of infectious diseases and the life-saving potential of organ transplants. His journey is not just a tale of survival but a compelling call to support organ donation and medical innovation.