Ben Askren remains in a medically induced coma after having been transported to a hospital closer to home, but there are some positive signs about the former UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship star in a new update from wife Amy Askren.
That, and some troubling news: that Askren, 40, may require a lung transplant.
The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champ, who finished his career with a brief stint in the UFC, was reported as suffering from pneumonia and placed in a medically induced coma in a Las Vegas-area hospital over a week ago. He’s since been transferred to a facility at home in Wisconsin.
Now, it appears Askren’s sedation has at times been lifted enough to allow him to be somewhat responsive. The suggestion of a lung transplant, while not certain, indicates just how serious his condition remains however.
“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. I’ve had some media people contact me that they are going to share an update and I would rather it come from me,” Amy Askren wrote on social media on Tuesday. “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 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. I know transplants are such a blessing and I’m overwhelmed at the thought of him receiving a gift like that,” she continued. “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 love ones a hug today and make sure you’re prepared [for] situations like this. Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this.”
Ben Askren wrapped up his MMA career in 2019 but returned to combat sports for a boxing match with Jake Paul in 2021.
