Ben Askren's wife provides emotional health update on his condition - after former MMA star was unresponsive in hospital after contracting pneumonia
Amy Askren has given an emotional health update on her husband and former MMA star Ben.
Askren, 40, was hospitalised earlier this month after contracting pneumonia as a result of a staph infection.
He was unresponsive last week - though alive - despite claims circulating online that he had died.
Various updates on Askren's health, including from wife Amy, who he married in 2010 and has three children with - two daughters, Alex and Andy, and a son called Ozzi - have been shared since he was admitted to hospital, but she has now provided fresh news on the 40-year-old.
Taking to social media, she said: 'I haven't shared an update because Ben has been in limbo for a while and I was hoping to have him wake up and be the one to decide what to share.
'I've had some media people contact me that they are going to share an update and I would rather it come from me.
'Ben is still on a ventilator and ecmo to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, but on the good, they have been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands.
'His body can't handle coming off sedation too much yet. I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for a lung transplant.'
She continued: 'Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily. I know transplants are such a blessing and I'm overwhelmed at the thought of him receiving a gift like that. No one would take better care of that gift than Ben.
'Thank you for every message and all of the support. Despite this awful situation, I'm feeling so blessed by the community we're surrounded by.
'Give your loved ones a hug today and make sure you're prepared (for) situations like this. Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this.'
The update from Amy comes after wrestling journalist Pat Mineo had claimed on Monday evening that Askren was making progress, but also that challenges still remained.
He had said: 'All the prayers and medical support Ben Askren has been receiving is working!
'He was able to open his eyes and squeeze hands, showing some responsiveness. He is still expected to need a lung transplant, but some of his levels are improving and he is fighting like a Champ! Keep praying for Ben Askren.'
Amy shared the update on social media and revealed that there are 'good days and bad'
Known for his grappling skills, Askren made his MMA debut in 2009 after a decorated collegiate wrestling career that saw him become a two-time NCAA division 1 champion.
The 2008 Olympian would go on a decade-long undefeated streak inside the cage, winning world titles in Bellator and ONE and was widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the world outside the UFC.
Despite a fractious relationship with UFC president Dana White, Askren would go on to make his Octagon debut in 2019 after a trade deal involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
After defeating Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut, Askren suffered back-to-back losses against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before announcing his retirement from the sport.
Despite undergoing major hip surgery after hanging up his gloves, Askren, who is a hugely popular personality, later returned to competition, losing to Jake Paul via first-round TKO in a boxing match in April 2021.
Meanwhile, Chael Sonnen had previously shed light on the specifics of Askren's lung issue, on his own YouTube channel, saying: 'One of the things the family really wanted to do was to get Ben, like this was priority number one, they wanted to get Ben from Nevada where he was to Wisconsin. Just geographically speaking, if this is to be the end, they wanted it in Wisconsin.
'So, at this point in the story, we all find out that Ben needs a lung transplant. There was a hole in his lung. For the information that I've been given, he don't have an answer as to how or I guess as to even why there was a hole in his lung.
'But while the family is working on that, they were able to get Ben from Nevada to Wisconsin.
'I was able to speak to the lovely Amy, Ben's wife, one time. She did it make it clear in this one time that we talked that there wasn't going to be a lot of talking, but what was really hoped for was prayers and thoughts.'
Elsewhere, on Sunday, June 8, Amy had initially written: 'You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something.
'He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.
'We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace.
'We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.'
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