MMA star Ben Askren says he 'died 4 times' and received double lung transplant
Share this @internewscast.com

Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren is revealing details about his recent severe health challenges, including that he “died four times” and had a double lung transplant.

In an Instagram video posted on July 9, he shared that the incident occurred from May 28 to July 2, and he has no memories from that period.

“I actually read through my wife’s journal because… (I have) no recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened,” he stated in a video of himself in a hospital bed.

“It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. So I only died four times, or the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,” he continued. “That’s not ideal. You guys know that, but I got the double lung transplant. I made it to the other side of it, gaining quite a bit of strength. We’re going to use everything again.”

Askren has been in a Wisconsin hospital with pneumonia, the Associated Press reported. He coughed and struggled at times to speak in the video, where he said he’s lost 50 pounds over the span of 45 days.

“I was actually, honestly, yesterday, 147 pounds. I haven’t been 147 pounds since (I was) 15 years old,” he said.

Askren reiterated, “I don’t remember most of it,” and said the “most impactful” thing “was the love I felt from everybody.”

“It’s almost like I got to have my own funeral,” he added.

Askren, who was born in 1984, also vowed to work hard on his road to recovery.

“I’m more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out the best I can to help out,” he said. “I love you guys, I appreciate you guys. It’s been tough, not only on me, but my whole family and my close community.”

Askren also posted a photo of himself in bed that was shared by MMA Uncensored, which said he had four heart attacks.

In 2019, Askren announced his retirement from MMA with a 19-2-1 record.

Prior to that, he won two NCAA Division I national championships while wrestling at the University of Missouri. He also was on the United States’ wrestling team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

According to his social media, the champion wrestler and MMA fighter suffered from a severe case of pneumonia and has been in the hospital for several weeks.

His wife, Amy, said in early June on social media that her husband was in the hospital in critical condition and required a ventilator due to a staph infection. She also shared that he would likely need a lung transplant.He was placed on the organ donor list on June 24.

In Askren’s July 9 update, he shared that he’d had four heart attacks and had received a double-lung transplant. He also said he’s lost 147 pounds over the past month and a half due to his health issues.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police Discover Cyclist in Possession of US Border Wall Fragments

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Police in Juarez, Mexico, report finding…

Storm Team 3: Expect heavy rain and cooler high temperatures this weekend

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Friday was a hot and then stormy day,…

Tennessee Inmate’s Execution to Proceed Amid Concerns of Heart Device Malfunction

Tennessee is allowed to proceed with the scheduled execution of a death…

App Monitors ICE Sightings as DeSantis Intensifies Immigration Enforcement with Florida Highway Patrol

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — There’s an app that lets people track immigration…

Borrowers Express Concerns Over Student Loan System Adjustments as SAVE Interest Accrual Resumes

(The Hill) Carrie, a single mother currently between jobs, had a student…

Trump Increases Canadian Tariffs to 35%

(The Hill) President Donald Trump announced Thursday the U.S. would raise tariffs…

Fed Maintains Interest Rates; First Double Dissent in 30 Years Observed

The Federal Reserve kept short-term interest rates at a level of 4.25…

Reporter Clarifies Facts About Food Distribution in Gaza

() Former British military officer and international journalist Andrew Fox was recently…

Wrigley Field to Welcome MLB All-Star Game in 2027 Hosted by Chicago Cubs

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game…

Augusta Residents Respond to Plans for Enforcing Curfew in Downtown Area

AUGUSTA, Ga () – We are hearing reaction from the community to…

Trump Offers Tariff Relief to Select Countries; Stock Market and US Dollar Decline

BANGKOK (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of new tariff rates,…

Starting in 2027, Illinois schools will introduce yearly mental health check-ups.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new state initiative…