Former MMA fighter Ben Askren has opened up about a life-threatening pneumonia infection that nearly took his life. The 40-year-old, retired since 2019, posted a video from his hospital bed explaining he has no memory of several weeks due to the severity of his illness.
Askren’s condition began with a staph infection, common bacteria that can become dangerous if it spreads internally. His infection led to pneumonia, requiring hospitalization in Wisconsin, ventilation, and placement on a double lung transplant list.
His wife described him as healthy before the infection. Askren learned from her journal that his heart stopped four times during his treatment. “I only died four times,” he said, describing the ordeal as attending his “own funeral.”
He lost 50 pounds in just over a month but is now on the road to recovery, feeling more motivated than ever. Askren thanked his fans and the wrestling community for their support.
Jake Paul, a fellow fighter and social media influencer, encouraged fans to pray for Askren and donate to aid his recovery.
