Reflecting on his life, Corey Anderson credits Ben Askren with shaping his entire adult world. Their paths first crossed when Anderson was a decorated college wrestler, unaware that this meeting would prove life-altering.
Askren, a highly accomplished wrestler himself (a two-time National Champion and 2008 Olympian), recognized Anderson`s competitive drive and encouraged him to train in mixed martial arts. This suggestion proved pivotal. Following Askren`s guidance, Anderson began training in MMA, which eventually led him to securing a place on The Ultimate Fighter. This reality show appearance launched a distinguished professional career for Anderson. For the last decade, he has remained a top light heavyweight contender, even holding the final Bellator 205-pound title.
Currently, Askren is hospitalized, recovering from a double lung transplant necessitated by a severe bout of pneumonia. While his wife Amy provides updates, Anderson finds it deeply difficult to see his friend and mentor facing such a serious health challenge.
“It hits my wife more,” Anderson told MMA Fighting. “I`m not an emotional guy. But right now, when you mention Ben`s name, the tears start rolling behind the eyes. Every night we pray for him. I come in from the gym, and I can hear her on the Zoom call, and every time she comes out with tears in her eyes.”
He added, “Anytime we discuss the situation, or someone posts something and she shares it with me, and we start talking, I can see her hurting.”
The impact of Askren`s health struggles is felt acutely by Anderson`s wife, Jennifer, as Ben played a significant role in both their lives. Remarkably, Anderson credits Askren with bringing him and Jennifer together in the first place.
“My entire life, not just my career, is what it is because of Ben,” Anderson stated. “It`s more than just fighting. That`s my life. I met my wife through him, I have my two wonderful children, my family, my whole adult life – it all stems from Ben Askren.”
He elaborated, “He invited me to an MMA gym. The very first day I walked in, my wife was working at the front desk. That`s how we first met. Years passed, we started a relationship, and she moved here.”
While Anderson has trained at various gyms throughout his full-time MMA career after leaving college in Wisconsin, Askren has been a consistent source of support and guidance.
Anderson notes that whenever he needs advice, particularly regarding his career, Askren is invariably one of the first people he reaches out to.
He shared, “Whenever we`re back home, we visit Ben. If I face an issue in the fight world, even now leading up to a fight, my wife reminds me to message Ben. Anything at all, like how to promote myself authentically, I`ll ask Ben. He`s my go-to for any problem.”
Anderson considers Ben Askren and Eddie Alvarez his primary mentors in the sport, saying, “They are the two people I talk to. They`ve been in the game the longest, seen and done it all, and provide the best guidance.”
Anderson acknowledges the difficulty of the past few weeks while Askren has been hospitalized, confirming the former Bellator and ONE champion remains constantly in his thoughts and prayers.
Even with his upcoming fight on the PFL Africa card, Anderson`s focus frequently returns to Askren`s recovery from the lung transplant.
Above all, Anderson looks forward to the day he can simply pick up the phone and talk to Askren again.
Anderson summarized Askren`s impact: “Ben Askren pretty much directed me toward the life I have now – my wife, my MMA career, that first gym. He even coached me in college and helped me reach the NCAA National Finals. He`s done so many different things, even giving me hunting spots for my channel. It`s all thanks to Ben. It`s hard to feel like you can do anything to help in return.”
He concluded, “I just want to call and talk to him, even if he can`t respond. It`s a strange situation. You just keep praying and hoping for his recovery.”
