Former UFC fighter Ben Askren’s life is forever changed, but his wife is forever grateful.
Six days after Amy Askren announced that Ben was officially on the lung transplant list, she revealed Monday morning that Askren has received the double lung transplant he needed and expressed gratitude.
“We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant,” Amy wrote in a Facebook post. “We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift. It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly. Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own. I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can’t wait to tell Ben all about It.
“I’m hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off [smiley emoji].”
Askren, 40, was hospitalized weeks ago with a severe case of pneumonia. His wife revealed the news June 7. As of June 17, he was sedated and on a ventilator.
The news has drawn widespread reaction from the combat sports world, with numerous athletes, wrestlers, and the UFC publicly expressing thoughts and prayers for the former ONE and Bellator champion. The UFC’s June 14 broadcast featured a segment wishing Askren well.
A T-shirt fundraiser has been launched to help with Askren’s medical bills, as well as his mission to help support high-level athletes. This past Saturday after his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jake Paul used his post-fight interview time to express support for Askren and raise awareness about his life-changing situation.
Askren retired from MMA in 2019 but returned for a one-off boxing bout vs. Paul in 2021. Widely considered one of the greatest amateur wrestlers in U.S. history, Askren remains heavily involved with the wrestling community and recently joined Hulk Hogan’s Real American Freestyle.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ben Askren’s wife ‘thankful to share’ double lung transplant received