Ben Askren health update: Wife Amy says former MMA star, 2x NCAA champion on lung transplant list

Ben Askren is now on the lung transplant list, according to his wife Amy, and is waiting for a match in the hospital. Askren has been dealing with a severe case of pneumonia that resulted in him needed a lung transplant and there was reportedly a severe staph infection.

Askren’s other organs are working just find and he appears to be more responsive, according to his wife. In fact, the man they call “Funky” has been a tiny bit more like his old self.

“As of late last night, Ben is officially on the transplant list,” Amy Askren wrote. “Please pray he can get stronger and stay stable without complications while he waits, and that they find an amazing match for him and he accepts it smoothly. Also please pray for whoever that Donor may be, and his family. It’s going to be a huge adjustment for Ben, but our family is so thankful that his other organs are ok and that there is a path forward.

“While he is having more periods of awareness, he’s not able to look at his phone yet and respond to messages. I am hoping he can get there in the next week or two! Also hoping we will get to a place soon where he can talk while on a trach.”

As far as Ben Askren being more like himself, he already wanted a different beverage! How about a cup of joe?

“Yesterday he kept mouthing something for a while and we finally figured out he was saying coffee!,” Amy Askren wrote. “(He can’t have it yet lol). What a huge relief to see him asking for something so normal. I’m so thankful his mind is healthy and I can’t wait to have him back. We are also so thankful for the amazing community we have-from close friends, friends we have’t talked to in 20+ years, to strangers who have reached out to share their similar stories or pray. Thank you.”

A pioneer of the sport of wrestling due to his style, Askren was nicknamed “Funky.” He brought his wrestling style to the modern age, where he would put himself in unorthodox positions to win scrambles in order to secure takedowns and pins. He was a two-time NCAA champion at Missouri, a four-time finalist and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner.

At the senior level, Askren won the 2008 Olympic Trials at 74 KG and represented Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He went 1-1 at the tournament and did not medal.

After not placing at the 2010 World Team Trials, Askren fully transitioned into MMA. Following three fights on the regional scene, Askren was signed by Bellator and proceeded to win the welterweight belt and remained undefeated in his time with the promotion. He then signed with ONE FC, going 6-0 with one no-contest and was the welterweight champion.

Although past his prime and initially retired, Askren returned to mixed martial arts in March of 2019 with the UFC and defeated former champion Robbie Lawler by submission in his debut, getting to 19-0 in his career. However, he would lose to Jorge Masvidal in a would-be title eliminator to challenge Kamaru Usman for the belt. Masvidal knocked out Askren in five seconds with a flying knee. He ended his career with a loss to fellow grappler and long-time fighter Demian Maia.

Since his retirement, Askren had surgery on his hip and hadn’t felt that good in a long time. He’s been coaching at his Askren Wrestling Academy in Wisconsin, where he’s coached up national champions such as Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) and Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State). Recently, Askren signed with Real American Freestyle, a new pro league founded by Hulk Hogan. You can find more information on the league HERE.