Latest news with #Askren
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Former UFC star Ben Askren may need lung transplant with wife ‘praying for a miracle'
Former MMA champion and UFC contender Ben Askren remains in an uphill health battle. His wife, Amy Askren, posted on Facebook that her husband is still battling severe pneumonia and is on a ventilator and ECMO support. '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,' she wrote Tuesday in a Facebook post. 'I've had some media people contact me that they are going to share an update and I would rather it come from me. Advertisement Ben Askren pictured with his wife Amy. Facebook | Amy Askren '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 lung transplant.' Askren, 40, contracted pneumonia after suffering a staph infection. Advertisement Amy, who has three children with Askren, asked for MMA fans to pray for his continued healing, and if a transplant should be necessary, a swift process from there. The former MMA superstar was previously a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and 2008 Olympian. Ben Askren poses ahead of weigh-ins before Jake Paul. Getty Images for Triller He competed in the UFC at the end of his career but he was most successful while in Bellator and ONE Championship, where he was the welterweight champion. Advertisement Askren was 19-2 in his MMA career, a record that doesn't include when he was infamously TKO'd by Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021. He had a contentious rivalry with UFC President Dana White during his time in the organization that boosted his stardom.
UPI
3 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Former wrestling champion Ben Askren may need lung transplant, wife says
Former Missouri NCAA Division 1 champion wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren is being evaluated for a lung transplant, his wife revealed Tuesday, after he was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo June 17 (UPI) -- Former UFC fighter and wrestling champion Ben Askren is in the process of being evaluated for a possible lung transplant, his wife revealed Tuesday, as he is "still fighting" for his life. Askren, 40, was hospitalized in critical condition earlier this month in Wisconsin with a severe case of pneumonia, caused by a staph infection. He is currently sedated on a ventilator and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). "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," Amy Askren wrote Tuesday on Facebook. "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 wife added. "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," she said. "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." Askren retired from MMA in 2019, but returned for a boxing bout vs. Jake Paul in 2021. He was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and was a two-time NCAA Division I champion in wrestling. "Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this," his wife added. "Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily." Athletes, wrestlers and the UFC have offered their thoughts, as Askren remains hospitalized, and prayers as he undergoes evaluation for a lung transplant. "We here at the UFC certainly join in sending all our support to Ben, his wife Amy and their kids as they stay strong through this difficult fight."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
UFC veteran Ben Askren 'in limbo' and fighting for life in hospital; wife provides update
UFC veteran Ben Askren is fighting for his life in a Wisconsin hospital. On June 7, Askren's wife, Amy Askren, revealed on her Facebook account that the former multiple-time MMA champion had fallen ill with "severe pneumonia." The illness led to Askren's hospitalization and under sedation ever since. Askren's wife provided the latest update on his health on Tuesday, revealing that Askren, 40, remains "in limbo" and is "starting the evaluation process for lung transplant." 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 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 retired from MMA after a brief three-fight run in the UFC that took place entirely in 2019. "Funky" went 1-2 in the promotion, memorably defeating soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler before closing out his MMA career with a third-round submission loss to Demian Maia in Singapore. Advertisement In 2021, Askren came back for one more professional bout, but this time in the boxing ring when he took on Jake Paul. The former Bellator and ONE Championship champion again fell short, losing via first-round knockout. He has since returned to his collegiate wrestling roots and has been heavily involved in coaching at his Askren Wrestling Academy in Wisconsin. More on this story coming shortly.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Former UFC star Ben Askren being evaluated for potential lung transplant, wife says
Former UFC star Ben Askren being evaluated for potential lung transplant, wife says MMA and wrestling legend Ben Askren continues to battle in a Wisconsin hospital, according to his wife. Askren, 40, is sedated on a ventilator and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and could need a lung transplant, Amy Askren said in a Facebook post Tuesday. "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," Amy Askren wrote on her personal Facebook page. "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 lung transplant." Askren was recently hospitalized with a sudden and severe case of pneumonia, with reports first surfacing June 7. The news drew reactions from every corner of the combat sports world, with numerous athletes, wrestlers, and the UFC publicly expressing thoughts and prayers for the former ONE and Bellator champion. Amy Askren said in her post Tuesday that the outpouring of support has been a blessing. "Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily," Askren said. "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 retired from MMA in 2019 but returned for a one-off boxing bout vs. Jake Paul in 2021. Widely considered one of the greatest amateur wrestlers in U.S. history, Askren remains heavily involved with the wrestling community and recently joined Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Ben Askren major health update after false reports fighter had died
The American was rushed to hospital earlier this month after suffering from pneumonia - but a major update on his current condition has been revealed Former UFC star Ben Askren is showing some responsiveness and is can 'open his eyes and 'squeeze hands', according to reports. Earlier this month, the American was rushed to hospital coming down with a severe case of pneumonia, which was brought on by a staph infection. Rumours of his death began to circulate online last week - which forced Askren's wife Amy to clear up the claims, stating that he is 'alive' but is still 'fighting.' According to a report from wrestling journalist Pat Mineo on Monday evening, Askren is still expected to need a lung transplant, but his levels are improving. In a post uploaded to X - formerly known as Twitter - he posted: "Update: 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." Last week, Askren's good friend Daniel Cormier revealed that the American was moved to a different hospital. The former two-division UFC champion said of his podcast host: 'Ben Askren, our good friend from 'Funky and the Champ', is having a hard time. That night that we did the last episode of 'Funky and the Champ', Ben was complaining about some issues. He had some infections. He had a really tough time when he went to that convention in Vegas, he was stuck there for a while. 'I want to report to you guys that he's now back home in Wisconsin. He's with his family, his beautiful wife, Amy. Everybody is just kind of praying that Ben gets better and we can start moving forward with life for Ben. It's so sad. I don't know how things like this happen to someone who is so good because Ben Askren is a good guy. 'Pray for Amy, guys. Pray for the kids. Ben, we love you, buddy. 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.' Cormier's update came just hours after Askren's wife Amy was forced to deny social media rumours that her husband had passed away. She told TMZ her other half is "definitely still fighting". During the peak of his powers, the American was considered one of the top welterweights in the sport after he won titles in both Bellator and ONE Championship. He eventually joined the UFC in 2019 and submitted former champion Robbie Lawler on his promotional debut. However, he would then go on to lose back-to-back fights against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Just a few weeks after the Maia fight, Askren announced his retirement from MMA, but it was not long before he eventually returned to combat sports after agreeing to fight Jake Paul in the boxing ring. The 40-year old would go on to suffer a knockout defeat in the first round in what was his only fight inside the squared-circle.
