The heart-wrenching story that has dominated the mixed martial arts world lately is that of Ben Askren, who has been on death’s door in the hospital with severe pneumonia.
Good news finally broke on Monday morning for the retired fighter and wrestler, veteran of the UFC, Bellator, ONE Championship, and University of Missouri’s NCAA Wrestling program.
Askren’s wife, Amy, posted from the hospital that the 40-year-old has received successful double lung transplant surgery.
“We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant,” she posted. “We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift. It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly.
“Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own. I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can’t wait to tell Ben all about it. I’m hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off.”
Amy has been providing updates on her husband continually, the most recent news being that he is on a transplant list but that the insurance company is unwilling to pay for the life-saving care.
The family had asked for donations from the wider MMA community, however, it appears as though one specific donor came through in a big way to help out a fighter who risked his health to provide entertainment to fans for years.
Here’s hoping the rest of his recovery goes smoothly, and that Askren can get back to enjoying his retirement in peace.
Askren refused to play the game. Went 17-0-1 making the majority of his opponents look like amateurs. Got paid, got out unscathed. Problem? pic.twitter.com/lHbo8jv70p
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 4, 2017
