Ben Askren, the former UFC and Bellator fighter, recently revealed he was forced to undergo a double lung transplant after pneumonia severely damaged his lungs. Askren explained that his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a major health scare that required intensive medical care.
He said he was on life support and suffered “clinical death” four separate times before the transplant took place. The pneumonia had left his lungs so infected that doctors deemed transplant surgery necessary to save his life.
Askren, who retired from competitive fighting in 2019, stayed out of the spotlight for several weeks as doctors tackled his condition. He has now shared his story, explaining how quickly things went from a standard bout of pneumonia to a full-scale medical emergency. His honest account brought light to the severity of respiratory illness and how sudden health events can turn dire very fast.
Recovering Step by Step: Gratitude, Hard Work, and a Second Chance
Since the transplant, Askren’s focus has shifted to recovery. He expressed deep appreciation for his medical team, donor, and loved ones, crediting them for saving his life. Despite the trauma he went through, Askren remains positive, emphasizing that each day brings small progress.
He acknowledged that recovery won’t be easy. Lung transplants require careful rehabilitation, monitoring for rejection, and adjusting to a significant change in daily life. Still, Askren said he feels determined and motivated to get stronger each day.
Askren also wants to raise awareness about organ donation. He mentioned how grateful he is for the donor who made the transplant possible, saying the donor’s gift was life-changing. He hopes his audience will come away with a deeper understanding of how important it is to sign up as an organ donor, as one person’s decision can save another’s life.
Though his days of fighting inside the cage may be behind him, Askren’s battle off it shows the kind of resilience and grit his fans came to admire. His transparency about struggling and surviving aims to help others facing medical hardships, reinforcing that it’s possible to bounce back—even after near-death experiences.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): cbssports
