**Ben Askren Undergoes Double Lung Transplant Amid Pneumonia Battle**
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA fighter Ben Askren is currently fighting pneumonia and recently revealed that he has undergone a double lung transplant. His wife, Amy, shared on social media that Askren was placed on a ventilator in June and was added to the lung transplant donor list on June 24.
In a show of support, YouTube star-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul praised Askren, calling him “one of the toughest fighters” during his struggle with a severe infection. Paul’s comments came shortly after Askren humorously noted that he “only died four times” before receiving the transplant.
Reflecting on his experience, Askren stated in a video posted to his social media that he has no recollection of the past six weeks, describing it as surreal. “I just read through my wife’s journal. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,” he shared. He also mentioned losing approximately 50 pounds during this challenging period.
“The thing that was most impeccable to me was all the love I felt,” Askren added. “It was almost like I got to have my own funeral.”
Askren is known for his impressive wrestling career, having won back-to-back NCAA titles at the University of Missouri and representing the U.S. at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He later transitioned to mixed martial arts, competing in organizations such as Bellator and ONE Championship, before making his way to the UFC. He retired from MMA after a loss to Demian Maia in 2019, finishing his career with a record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest.
Askren and Paul have a history, having faced off in a boxing match in April 2021, where Paul won by technical knockout in the first round.
**FAQ**
**What health issues did Ben Askren face recently?**
Ben Askren battled pneumonia and underwent a double lung transplant after being placed on a ventilator and added to the donor list.