Ben Askren in critical condition: evaluation for lung transplant after severe pneumonia

Former MMA champion Ben Askren is fighting for his life after being hospitalized with a serious case of pneumonia. According to a Facebook post from his wife, Amy, doctors have begun evaluating the 39-year-old for a potential lung transplant. Askren is currently on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-support treatment used in critical cases to oxygenate the blood.

Amy Askren “praying for a miracle”

“I’m still praying for a miracle with his current lungs,” Amy wrote. “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”.

Ben Askren’s MMA career

Askren, a standout wrestler and MMA fighter, rose to fame with undefeated records in both Bellator and ONE Championship. His momentum came to a sudden halt in July 2019 when, in just his second UFC fight, he was knocked out five seconds into the bout by Jorge Masvidal’s now-legendary flying knee - one of the fastest and most brutal knockouts in UFC history.

Amy also took time to thank the outpouring of support from fans and friends during this harrowing time.

“Thank you for every message and all of the support,” she posted. “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”.

Life after MMA

After stepping away from MMA, Askren briefly turned to boxing. In April 2021, the Iowa native faced YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul and was knocked out in the first round. Since then, Askren has stayed away from combat sports altogether.

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