Latest news with #AmyAskren
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ben Askren: New Update Reveals Emotional Details on UFC Veteran's Ongoing Health Battle
Ben Askren: New Update Reveals Emotional Details on UFC Veteran's Ongoing Health Battle originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Health battles in combat sports don't always end when the final bell rings. For some fighters, the toughest rounds come long after the crowds have quieted and the lights have dimmed. These are the moments that reveal what heart truly looks like. In a sport defined by grit and resilience, fans recently received a heartfelt reminder that the most meaningful fights often take place far from the spotlight. And now, one veteran's family has offered a sobering update on an ongoing battle that continues behind the scenes. Advertisement On June 7, both the MMA and wrestling worlds were shaken by reports that Ben Askren, known for his wrestling dominance and outspoken personality, was in critical condition due to severe pneumonia. Ben AskrenGetty News of his situation spread rapidly, with fans and former fighters flooding social media in a show of unified support. Today, a deeply personal update was shared via his wife Amy's Instagram story, revealing the latest developments in his recovery. 'Ben has been in limbo for a while… Ben is still on a ventilator and ECMO to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, and on the good days, they've been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands… I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant… Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily… 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 veteran remains in critical condition, with signs of response but no full awakening. As transplant evaluations begin, the outpouring of support has not wavered. The wrestling and UFC communities continue to rally behind him—holding onto hope, offering strength, and standing united for one of their own. Advertisement Related: Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria Related: UFC Champion Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
‘I'm praying for a miracle' – Ben Askren's wife reveals ex-UFC star might need lung transplant after battling pneumonia
BEN ASKREN'S wife is "praying for a miracle" as the former UFC star might need a lung transplant. Askren is in hospital on a ventilator fighting pneumonia following a staph (bacterial) infection. 3 His partner Amy said she "never could have expected" such an "awful situation" as her 40-year-old husband is "the healthiest guy I know". She issued an update on his condition via Facebook after he was moved from a hospital in Vegas to Wisconsin. Amy explained Ben's "critical" condition has seen so many ups and downs that doctors have begun the "evaluation process" for a lung transplant. She praised the support he's had from the MMA world and beyond. Amy also said: "I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs. "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. She also asked fans of her partner - aka "Funky" - to join her in praying for him. Amy added: "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." Ben Askren says Jake Paul is 'better than all of us anticipated' And she urged everyone to appreciate their health - but also be prepared for anything that could happen. Amy said: "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 ex-welterweight fighter was taken to hospital earlier this month after developing a lung problem and pneumonia following an infection. He was briefly "unresponsive" and has since been on a ventilator as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which is like an artificial lung. Askren's friend, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier, has spoken emotionally about his podcast host. He said: 'Pray for Amy, guys. Pray for the kids. Ben, we love you, buddy. 3 "We are constantly thinking about him every single day. 'I cannot wait for the next 'Funky and the Champ' because we'll talk about that so much more.' Last week Amy had to shut down unwelcome false rumours on social media that her husband had died She stressed to TMZ he was "definitely still fighting". Askren retired from MMA in 2019 after one win and two defeats. However, two years later he returned to ring action for a boxing match with YouTuber Jake Paul which he lost on a first-round KO.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
MMA champ facing lung transplant after sudden illness
Mixed martial arts veteran Ben Askren has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and may require a lung transplant. His wife, Amy Askren, shared on Facebook that he is currently on a ventilator and ECMO for lung support. She said she is 'praying for a miracle with his current lungs', but an evaluation process for a lung transplant has begun. Askren, 40, was an Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who retired from combat sports in 2021. His wife said he fell ill very suddenly, stating he was previously very healthy.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Ben Askren's wife ‘praying for miracle' as MMA veteran battles pneumonia
Ben Askren 's wife has said she is 'praying for a miracle' while the mixed martial arts veteran awaits a potential lung transplant, as he battles 'severe pneumonia'. Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who later ventured into boxing, retired from combat sports in 2021 at the age of 36. Now, at just 40, the American is facing a complicated health issue. His wife Amy wrote on Facebook on 7 June: '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.' On Tuesday (17 June), Amy posted again, writing: '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 [Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a lung-support system] 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 lung transplant. 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 situations like this. 'Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this.' Askren went to the 2008 Olympics as a Team USA wrestler, before beginning an MMA career in which he won the Bellator and ONE welterweight titles and stayed unbeaten until his final two fights. His last three fights all took place in the UFC in 2019, as he submitted Robbie Lawler before suffering a record-setting five-second knockout by Jorge Masvidal and a submission by Demian Maia. Askren then boxed once, facing YouTuber Jake Paul in 2021 and falling to a first-round knockout. He has not competed in any combat sport since.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
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.'
