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Ben Askren's Near-Death Battle: 5 Shocking Details About His Double Lung Transplant And Miraculous Recovery

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Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren faced the toughest opponent of his life in the summer of 2025, a battle far more serious than any championship bout. The man known as "Funky" underwent a successful double lung transplant, a procedure necessitated by a catastrophic case of severe pneumonia that rapidly deteriorated his health. This life-saving surgery marked a dramatic, unexpected turn in the life of the retired athlete, who now shares the harrowing details of his near-death experience and miraculous road to recovery.

The health crisis and subsequent transplant have thrust Askren back into the spotlight, not for his athletic prowess, but for his sheer will to survive. As of the current date, December 17, 2025, Askren is making remarkable strides in his post-operative journey, providing an inspiring update for fans who followed his legendary careers in wrestling and mixed martial arts. His story is a powerful testament to the critical need for organ donation and the resilience of the human spirit.

Ben Askren: A Champion's Biography and Career Profile

Benjamin Michael Askren, born July 18, 1984, is an American former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer, and Olympic wrestler. His career is defined by dominance, unconventional style, and a relentless pursuit of excellence across multiple combat sports disciplines.

  • Full Name: Benjamin Michael Askren
  • Nickname: "Funky"
  • Date of Birth: July 18, 1984
  • Age (at time of transplant): 40
  • Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Raised in Hartland, Wisconsin)
  • Collegiate Wrestling: University of Missouri
  • Collegiate Record: 153–8 (All-time winningest and most decorated wrestler at Missouri)
  • NCAA Championships: 2x NCAA Division I National Champion (2006, 2007)
  • Olympic Career: Represented Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics (Freestyle Wrestling)
  • MMA Career: Former Bellator Welterweight Champion and ONE Welterweight Champion.
  • UFC Career: Made his highly anticipated UFC debut in 2019.
  • Professional Boxing: Competed in one professional boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021.

The Life-Threatening Crisis: Severe Pneumonia and Organ Failure

Askren's health took a sudden and dramatic turn in the late spring of 2025. The initial diagnosis was severe pneumonia, a condition that quickly spiraled out of control. Despite his elite athletic conditioning, his lungs were critically compromised, leading to a rapid decline in his overall health.

The severity of his condition required him to be hospitalized in Wisconsin. By mid-June 2025, his respiratory function had deteriorated to the point where he required ventilator support. Doctors soon realized that his lungs were failing, and his only chance of survival was an immediate organ transplant. He was placed on the transplant list, beginning a harrowing wait for a suitable donor.

During this critical period, Askren's body fought a brutal internal war. He later revealed the shocking fact that his heart stopped multiple times while waiting for the surgery. "I only died four times," he stated, recounting the moments where medical staff had to resuscitate him. This detail underscores the extreme peril he faced and the razor-thin margin between life and death.

The former champion was also placed on an ECMO machine (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), a device that acts as an artificial lung and heart, circulating and oxygenating the blood outside the body. This measure was essential to keep him alive until the donor lungs became available. The entire ordeal was a profound shock to the combat sports community, which had always viewed Askren as an embodiment of physical toughness.

Double Lung Transplant and the Road to Recovery

The life-saving double lung transplant was successfully performed in the summer of 2025. The procedure was a monumental effort by the medical team and a gift of life from an anonymous donor, whom Askren and his wife expressed "eternal gratitude" towards.

Immediate Post-Surgery Challenges

The recovery process immediately following the surgery was intense and physically demanding. Askren had no recollection of most of the six weeks surrounding the procedure, a common experience due to the heavy sedation and critical nature of his condition. He lost a staggering amount of weight—approximately 50 pounds—due to muscle atrophy and the body's focus on survival.

His medical team focused on physical therapy to help him regain basic strength and mobility. Learning to use his body and new lungs again was a slow and deliberate process. The former athlete had to essentially relearn simple movements, highlighting the profound impact the illness had on his physical form.

A Miraculous Return to the Mat

In a stunning display of his legendary resilience, just months after undergoing the double lung transplant, Ben Askren was back on the wrestling mats. An update in November 2025 showed him hitting the mats and engaging in light wrestling, a remarkable milestone for a transplant patient. This quick return to physical activity, albeit non-competitive, is a powerful indicator of his determination and the success of the surgery.

However, the health crisis has permanently altered his competitive future. In August 2025, shortly after his transplant, Askren shared a major health update, confirming that his time competing in any professional sport is definitively over. While he can return to an active lifestyle, the rigorous demands of elite professional competition are no longer feasible due to the long-term management and immunosuppressant medication required for a lung transplant recipient.

The Long-Term Impact and Legacy of Askren's Battle

Ben Askren's journey from Olympic medalist and MMA champion to a double lung transplant recipient has resonated deeply with fans and medical professionals alike. His openness about the experience has shed light on the severity of respiratory illnesses like severe pneumonia and the complexities of organ transplantation.

Topical Authority Entities & Related Concepts:

  • Double Lung Transplant: A surgical procedure to replace diseased or failing lungs with healthy ones from a donor.
  • Severe Pneumonia: A serious lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs, often leading to respiratory failure.
  • ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation): A life support machine that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs.
  • Immunosuppressant Drugs: Medications that lower the body's immune response to prevent the rejection of the new donor lungs.
  • Organ Donor: The critical, selfless act that made Askren's survival possible.
  • Physical Rehabilitation: The essential post-operative process for regaining strength and lung function.
  • UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship): The premier mixed martial arts organization where Askren competed.
  • Collegiate Wrestling: The foundation of Askren's career, where he earned the nickname "Funky."

Askren's story serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of health, even for those in peak physical condition. It also highlights the incredible progress in modern medicine. His recovery continues to be monitored closely, and his public sharing of his experience is a powerful advocacy tool for organ donation awareness and the importance of recognizing severe symptoms of respiratory distress. Though his competitive career is finished, his legacy as a fighter—both in the cage and for his life—has only grown stronger.

ben askren lung transplant
ben askren lung transplant

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