UFC Fighter Ben Askren Says He ‘Died 4 Times,’ Had Double Lung Transplant Due to Severe Pneumonia

UFC fighter and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren is sharing an update after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia.

In a video filmed from his hospital bed and shared via Instagram on Wednesday, July 9, Aksren, 40, said he “died four times” and had a double lung transplant after falling seriously ill.

Askren’s wife, Amy, first revealed he was hospitalized with pneumonia and “fighting” for his life in early June.

“I don’t remember anything from May 28 to July 2. No recollection. No idea what happened,” Askren said in the video. “I just read through my wife’s journal. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous.”

Askren quipped, “I only died four times” during his hospital stay, adding, “The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”

The mixed martial artist is now on the mend after undergoing a double lung transplant, however, he noted that he has lost a significant amount of weight while hospitalized.

“[I’m] 147 pounds. I haven’t been 147 pounds since 15 years old,” he shared. “I lost like 50 pounds in a 45-day period.”

Askren described the last month as “almost like I got to have my own funeral,” noting how touched he was by the support and he and his family have received over the last month.

“The thing that was most impactful for me was the love I felt from everybody,” he said. “You listen to all these people recollect how much they enjoy you, how much they love you. The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was amazing. It felt so good.”

Askren concluded the video by sharing that he hoped to eventually detail what happened during his month-long hospitalization.

Askren’s wife, Amy, first revealed his health scare via Facebook on June 7. “You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,” she wrote. “He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.”

Two days later, Amy urged her friends and followers to “keep praying for Ben.”

Askren and Amy share three children, including daughters Alex, 12, and Andi, 9, and son Ozi, 7.