Ben Askren Update: What happened to Ben Askren? Former UFC star shares terrifying ‘four death’ experience

Ben Askren update: Former UFC and Bellator champ Ben Askren revealed he “died four times” during a life-threatening pneumonia battle that led to a double lung transplant. He lost 50 pounds in 45 days and has no memory of over a month.

Fans searching for a Ben Askren update finally got one, and it’s jaw-dropping. The former UFC and Bellator welterweight champion said he “died four times” during a fight with severe pneumonia that led to a double lung transplant. In a video posted on Instagram, Askren opened up about the medical nightmare he endured and how close he came to not making it.

Ben Askren lung transplant followed critical pneumonia battle

So, what happened to Ben Askren? The 40-year-old MMA veteran said it all started with a staph infection that spiraled into life-threatening pneumonia. “I only died four times,” he said in the video. “The ticker stopped for 20 seconds each time.”

Askren lost 50 pounds in just 45 days. He now weighs 147 pounds — the lightest he’s been since he was 15. Most shocking of all, he said he has no memory of anything between May 28 and July 2. His wife documented everything in a journal since he was unconscious for weeks.

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‘Felt like my own funeral’: Askren thanks wrestling and MMA fans

The Ben Askren update came with gratitude, too. He said the support from the MMA and wrestling communities blew him away. “It was like I got to attend my own funeral. That’s how much love I felt,” Askren said. “It really helped me push through.”

He added that the experience has changed his perspective. “I’m more motivated than ever to give back — to wrestling, to the fans, to everyone who showed love.”

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From Olympic mats to life-threatening transplant: A wild ride

For fans just catching up on what happened to Ben Askren, here’s a quick reminder: he started as an Olympic wrestler, then dominated Bellator and ONE Championship with an undefeated run. He joined the UFC in 2019 after a rare trade deal that sent Demetrious Johnson to ONE. Askren beat Robbie Lawler in his debut but lost to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before retiring later that year.

Now, Askren’s toughest opponent has been real life. And he’s fighting back.

What’s next for Ben Askren after lung transplant?

In the Instagram clip, Askren said he’s rebuilding his strength and learning how to use his body again after the lung transplant. He hinted that he and his wife may eventually share more details of what really went down.

For now, though, the focus is on recovery. And if there’s one thing fans know about Ben Askren, it’s this: you can never count him out.

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