Ben Askren Released After Double-Lung Transplant: A Fighter’s Recovery Journey

Ben Askren, the former UFC fighter and Olympic wrestler, has finally been released from the hospital after a harrowing battle with severe pneumonia that necessitated a double-lung transplant. In a heartfelt video update from his vehicle, with his wife Amy behind the wheel, the 40-year-old shared the grueling journey of his recovery on what he called 'day 59.' Having lost 50 pounds during his hospitalization, Askren revealed the chilling reality of how close he came to losing his life—multiple times.

'I’m out, thanks to my incredible wife,' Askren said, his voice carrying both relief and exhaustion. 'This journey’s far from over—I still can’t walk properly and have to reteach myself the basics. But I’m here, and that’s what counts.' Turning to Amy, he asked how close he’d been to the edge. Her quiet response, 'Too close. A few times,' spoke volumes about the gravity of his ordeal.

In an earlier video, Askren described the surreal experience of not remembering 35 days of his life, including the period from late May to early July. 'I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,' he noted with a grim chuckle. Now weighing just 147 pounds—a number he hasn’t seen since his teenage years—Askren is focused on rebuilding his strength after the life-saving surgery.

The outpouring of support from fans, friends, and strangers alike has been a lifeline for Askren and his family. From contributions to a GoFundMe campaign to friends traveling across the country to visit, the fighter expressed deep gratitude. 'All the love, the comments, everything—it means the world to me,' he said. 'I plan on sticking around for a long, long time.'

Askren’s wife Amy had shared in early July that a donor was found for the transplant, urging supporters to keep them in their prayers. A decorated athlete, Askren was an NCAA champion, a gold medalist at the Pan American and World Championships, and a Team USA Olympian in 2008. His transition to MMA saw him compete in Bellator, ONE Championship, and the UFC, with notable bouts against fighters like Robbie Lawler and Jorge Masvidal, as well as a high-profile boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021.

Recently signing with Real American Freestyle, a venture backed by Hulk Hogan to popularize professional freestyle wrestling, Askren’s future in the sport remains uncertain as he focuses on recovery. But if his fighting spirit is any indication, this warrior isn’t done yet.