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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.

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.