Former UFC fighter Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant in July 2025 after a staph infection triggered severe pneumonia, leaving both lungs irreparably damaged. The 41-year-old mixed martial arts veteran, who competed in the UFC from 2019 to 2020, spent 45 days in intensive care in a Wisconsin hospital and reportedly experienced cardiac arrest four times before the procedure. His recovery since then has been striking—by November 2025, he was wrestling on mats just months after being on his deathbed.

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Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and Bellator champion, documented his health crisis with unusual openness. His wife Amy maintained a journal during his hospitalization that has provided unprecedented insight into the experience, drawing widespread attention from the MMA community and medical observers alike.

Health Crisis at a Glance

1The Health Crisis
2Near-Death Experience
  • Askren’s heart stopped four times during treatment (CBS Sports)
  • No memory from May 28 to July 2, 2025 (CBS Sports)
  • Weight dropped to 147 pounds—lowest since age 15 (CBS Sports)
3Current Status
4What Remains Unclear

What happened to Ben Askren’s lungs and what led to the health crisis?

The sequence of events leading to Askren’s double lung transplant began with a staph infection that rapidly escalated into a life-threatening condition. The bacterial infection progressed to pneumonia, which caused irreversible damage to both lungs.

Staph infections present heightened risks for athletes involved in close-contact sports like wrestling and MMA. The nature of combat sports creates opportunities for bacterial transmission that can lead to serious complications.

Medical Context

Staph infections can occur through skin-to-skin contact, open wounds, or contaminated surfaces—common occurrences in wrestling and MMA environments. While most staph infections resolve with antibiotics, they can occasionally trigger cascading health crises in susceptible individuals.

Askren was admitted to a Wisconsin hospital on May 28, 2025, according to CBS Sports. His condition deteriorated rapidly. Medical staff placed him on a ventilator as his lungs failed, and he spent 45 days in intensive care fighting for survival.

The weight loss was dramatic. In just 45 days, Askren shed 50 pounds, dropping to 147 pounds by early July 2025—his lightest since age 15, as he noted in a public statement. His wife Amy described the situation starkly: “It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly.”

What caused Ben Askren’s double lung transplant?

The double lung transplant became necessary when pneumonia caused irreversible damage to both organs, leaving transplantation as the only viable option. Fortune reported that the staph-triggered pneumonia left Askren’s lungs so damaged that doctors listed him for transplant.

The procedure, performed in early July 2025, carried significant risk. Double lung transplants require lifelong immunosuppression therapy afterward, meaning Askren must take medication to prevent his body from rejecting the new organs for the remainder of his life. This medical reality has implications for any future in combat sports.

What medical procedures did Ben Askren undergo and what was his condition?

Beyond the double lung transplant, Askren’s medical journey included four separate cardiac arrest events during treatment. “I only died four times were the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. That’s not ideal,” he later recalled with characteristic dark humor, according to CBS Sports.

Askren retained no memory of the period between May 28 and July 2, 2025. He later revealed that he pieced together events by reading through his wife’s journal entries. “I actually just read through my wife’s journal because I don’t remember anything from May 28th to July 2nd. No recollection. No idea what happened,” he stated.

Recovery Milestones

Askren shared a striking timeline of his recovery progress via social media: four months prior to November 2025, he was on his deathbed; three months prior, he could not stand unassisted; two months prior, he still required a walker. By November, he was wrestling on mats again.

Who paid for Ben Askren’s lung transplant?

The financial burden of Askren’s surgery proved substantial. The double lung transplant procedure carries an estimated cost of approximately $2 million, Fortune reported. According to the report, Askren’s health insurance did not cover the transplant costs, forcing his family to seek alternative funding sources.

His wife Amy turned to crowdfunding platforms to raise money for medical expenses. Boxer and content creator Jake Paul publicly offered to cover the bills, criticizing UFC leadership for not assisting. “None of these people, like Dana White or anyone, are stepping in. So I feel like I have to do something,” Paul said.

The specific crowdfunding total raised remains unclear. Multiple outlets reported the offer from Paul but did not confirm whether the funds were ultimately accepted or delivered.

What is Ben Askren’s current health status and recovery progress?

Askren returned home from the hospital in late July 2025, marking a significant milestone in his recovery. Video evidence from TMZ showed him wrestling on mats by November 2025—a remarkable achievement given that just months earlier he could not stand without assistance.

His doctors have provided encouraging projections. According to Askren’s public statements, medical professionals have assured him of a long, healthy life following the transplant. However, he faces ongoing challenges, including managing the immunosuppressive therapy required to prevent organ rejection.

Complications arose during recovery when Askren developed a staph infection, highlighting the vulnerability that comes with suppressing the immune system. This represents a common risk for transplant patients, who must balance preventing organ rejection against increased susceptibility to infections.

Ongoing Medical Considerations

Double lung transplant recipients require lifelong immunosuppressive medication, which increases vulnerability to infections. Athletes considering a return to contact sports face additional health considerations that Askren’s medical team has not publicly addressed in detail.

Will Ben Askren ever fight again after his health ordeal?

Whether Askren will return to professional combat sports remains uncertain. No official statements have confirmed plans for a fighting comeback, and the medical realities of his situation create significant obstacles.

Double lung transplant recipients cannot engage in contact sports without risking damage to their new organs, according to general medical guidance from transplant specialists. The immunosuppressive drugs required post-transplant also carry performance implications for elite athletes.

His complete career record includes a 19-1-0 MMA record with one no-contest and a 1-0 professional boxing record. His last UFC appearance came against Jorge Masvidal in November 2019, a fight he lost via knockout in just five seconds—the fastest knockout in UFC history at that time.

While Askren has shown remarkable physical progress by returning to wrestling training, whether this translates to professional competition remains an open question. The MMA and wrestling communities continue to monitor his recovery with interest.

What does Ben Askren’s experience reveal about post-UFC health risks?

Askren’s case represents an extreme outlier in post-fighting medical outcomes, though it illuminates broader health considerations for combat sports athletes. While the majority of fighters experience no such complications, high-profile cases like his underscore the importance of monitoring for bacterial infections.

Staph infections pose particular risks for wrestlers and MMA fighters due to the skin-to-skin contact inherent in training. Northeastern University analysis noted that close-contact athletes face elevated risks for these infections, which can occasionally lead to severe complications.

His transparency about “dying four times” and documenting his recovery has contributed to public awareness about organ donation and the realities of transplant experiences. MMA commentator Daniel Cormier reacted to Askren’s November wrestling video with visible emotion, highlighting the community’s investment in his recovery.

Timeline of Ben Askren’s Health Crisis and Recovery

The progression from initial hospitalization to recovery unfolded rapidly:

  • May 28, 2025 – Admitted to Wisconsin hospital with severe pneumonia (CBS Sports)
  • Late May to June 2025 – Placed on ventilator; health rapidly declined
  • June-July 2025 – Heart stopped four times during treatment (Northeastern News)
  • July 2, 2025 – Personal recollection period ends (Northeastern News)
  • Early July 2025 – Underwent double lung transplant (Northeastern News)
  • July 9, 2025 – BBC Sport reported on Askren’s near-death experience
  • July 10, 2025 – Posted first public health update; weighed 147 pounds (Northeastern News)
  • Late July 2025 – Returned home from hospital (Northeastern News)
  • November 2025 – Resumed wrestling training on mats (Northeastern News)

Confirmed Facts and Remaining Questions

Established Information

Information That Remains Unclear

  • Exact date and location of transplant surgery
  • Identity of who ultimately paid for the procedure
  • Specific timeline of initial infection progression
  • Whether he will compete professionally again
  • Full extent of current lung function capacity
  • Whether additional complications exist beyond staph infection

What Ben Askren’s Story Means for Combat Sports Athletes

Askren’s experience offers a cautionary narrative about the hidden health risks former combat athletes can face. While contact sports carry inherent risks of acute injury, the cascading infections that led to his transplant represent an uncommon but serious complication pathway.

His willingness to share details—including his “dying four times” comment and the journal entries documenting his wife’s perspective—has provided unprecedented public insight into transplant experiences. This transparency may encourage organ donation awareness while setting realistic expectations for fans.

The financial aspects of his case also drew attention. The estimated $2 million cost of his surgery and the crowdfunding effort organized by his wife shine light on the economic vulnerabilities athletes can face following catastrophic health events, even those with professional career earnings.

Perspectives from the MMA Community

“I actually just read through my wife’s journal because I don’t remember anything from May 28th to July 2nd. No recollection. No idea what happened.”

— Ben Askren, via Northeastern News

“I haven’t been 147 pounds since I was 15 years old.”

— Ben Askren, via Fortune

“4 months ago I was on my deathbed, 3 months ago I couldn’t stand unassisted, 2 months ago I was still using a walker.”

— Ben Askren, via TMZ

“None of these people, like Dana White or anyone, are stepping in. So I feel like I have to do something.”

— Jake Paul, via Fortune

What Comes Next for Ben Askren

Askren’s remarkable recovery trajectory—from deathbed to wrestling mat in under five months—suggests his transplant has been successful. His doctors have reportedly offered optimistic projections about his long-term health outlook.

However, questions about his fighting future remain unanswered. The immunosuppressive therapy required after a double lung transplant creates inherent conflicts with elite athletic competition. Only Askren and his medical team can determine whether a return to professional fighting remains viable.

For now, his documented progress provides both inspiration and sobering reminder of health vulnerabilities that can emerge unexpectedly. The MMA community continues watching his journey with investment that extends beyond athletic fandom.

Key Facts About Ben Askren’s Health Crisis

Category Details
Full Name Benjamin Michael Askren
Date of Birth July 18, 1984
Primary Health Event Double lung transplant (July 2025)
Precipitating Condition Pneumonia from bacterial infection
Reported Cardiac Events Four times
Intensive Care Stay 45 days
Weight Loss During Hospitalization 50 pounds (to 147 lbs)
Current Status Recovering at home
Complications Staph infection during recovery
Last UFC Fight Jorge Masvidal (November 2019)
Career Record MMA: 19-1-0 (1 NC), Boxing: 1-0-0

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ben Askren still alive?

Yes. Ben Askren underwent a successful double lung transplant in July 2025 and has since returned home. By November 2025, he was resuming wrestling training.

What happened to Ben Askren’s lungs?

Askren developed a staph infection that progressed to severe pneumonia, causing irreversible damage to both lungs. The damage required a double lung transplant to save his life.

Who paid for Ben Askren’s lung transplant?

Details about who ultimately paid for the estimated $2 million procedure remain unclear. His health insurance did not cover the costs, and his wife Amy organized a crowdfunding effort. Boxer Jake Paul publicly offered to pay but it is unclear whether funds were delivered.

Will Ben Askren fight again?

Whether Askren will return to professional competition remains uncertain. No official statements have confirmed comeback plans. The immunosuppressive therapy required after transplant creates significant obstacles for contact sports.

What happened to Ben Askren after his fight with Masvidal?

After losing to Jorge Masvidal in November 2019, Askren retired from professional MMA. He remained public and eventually built a social media presence before his health crisis in 2025.

What caused Ben Askren’s pneumonia?

Askren developed a staph infection that progressed to severe pneumonia. Staph infections present heightened risks for athletes in close-contact sports like wrestling and MMA due to the nature of skin-to-skin training.

How did Ben Askren’s family raise money for the transplant?

According to reports, Askren’s health insurance did not cover the transplant costs. His wife Amy turned to crowdfunding platforms to help pay for the approximately $2 million procedure.