Retired UFC veteran Ben Askren is still fighting for his life with the former Olympic wrestler possibly needing a lung transplant after developing severe pneumonia.
The most recent update on Askren comes from his wife Amy, who offered the latest on his recovery as he remains hospitalized and spends most of his time under sedation but he was able to wake up recently while doctors continue to tend to him.
“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,” Amy Askren wrote on Facebook. “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,” she continued. “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.”
An ECMO machine — Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation — is a life support tool used by doctors when a patient’s heart or lungs is unable to operate adequately.
Askren fell ill unexpectedly after he was diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized as he fought for his life. His wife previously stated that he was unable to respond after he was admitted for treatment.
Askren, 40, last fought in the UFC back in 2019 when he finished a three-fight stint with the promotion and then retired a few months later. Since then, Askren did return for a boxing match against Jake Paul but he’s primarily been focused on coaching at his wrestling academy in Wisconsin while still serving as an analyst and commentator for combat sports.
