In the world of combat sports, resilience is a coveted trait. Fighters push their bodies to the brink, enduring punishing blows and grueling training regimes. Yet, for former UFC contender and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren, his most formidable opponent wasn`t found in a cage or on a mat, but within the confines of a hospital room. After a life-threatening battle with severe pneumonia, Askren has shared the harrowing details of his miraculous recovery, which included multiple instances of his heart stopping and a life-saving double lung transplant.
A Fight Beyond the Octagon: The Ordeal
Askren’s journey into the abyss began on May 28th. For over a month, until July 2nd, his consciousness was largely absent. As his wife, Amy Askren, meticulously documented in her journal, what transpired during this period was nothing short of cinematic in its intensity. “No recollection. No idea. No idea what happened. I just read through my wife’s journals and it’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous,” Askren recounted, reflecting on a void in his memory where critical events unfolded.
The severity of his condition was underscored by a chilling revelation: his heart ceased functioning not once, but on four separate occasions. “I only died four times where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,” he stated with a grim, understated humor that only someone who has faced such an ordeal could muster. Each cardiac arrest represented a minute skirmish in a much larger war, with medical professionals tirelessly battling to keep him alive.
The Turning Point: A New Breath
The turning point in Askren’s fight for survival came with the critical decision to perform a double lung transplant. This complex and high-stakes procedure was his only viable path forward. Emerging from the intensive surgery, Askren began the arduous journey of recovery, a path that, ironically, demanded a new form of “training camp” entirely focused on regaining basic bodily functions.
The physical toll of his illness was stark. His weight plummeted by approximately 50 pounds in just 45 days, bringing him to a startling 147 pounds—a weight he hadn`t seen since his early teenage years. “I was actually on the scale yesterday — 147 pounds. I haven’t been 147 pounds since I was 15 years old,” he observed, highlighting the brutal efficiency with which his body was stripped of its mass during the crisis.
The Power of Connection: An Unexpected “Funeral”
Beyond the medical miracles, Askren`s return to consciousness unveiled another profound aspect of his experience: the overwhelming outpouring of support from fans, colleagues, and the wider combat sports and wrestling communities. He described this unprecedented wave of empathy as akin to attending his own funeral—a unique opportunity to witness the love and respect people held for him while still alive.
“The thing that was most impactful to me was all the love I felt from everybody. It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. I still remember 30 years ago, Dave Schultz died, you would listen to all these older people recollect, and how much they enjoyed him, how much they loved him, and obviously he never got to hear that. The outpouring of love from the wrestling community is just amazing. It felt so good.”
This sentiment speaks volumes about the human need for connection and validation, especially in moments of extreme vulnerability. It underscores that while physical strength can win fights, the intangible bonds of community offer a different kind of life support, nourishing the spirit when the body is weakest.
A Champion`s New Challenge: The Road Ahead
Ben Askren`s recovery is an ongoing testament to his indomitable spirit. While the immediate danger of infection and rejection following a transplant is past, the journey ahead involves months of rehabilitation, careful monitoring, and a gradual return to strength. This champion, known for his relentless wrestling pressure and unwavering determination, is now applying those very attributes to perhaps the most important fight of his life: regaining his health.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that even the toughest among us are susceptible to life`s unpredictable challenges, and that true strength often lies not just in the ability to fight, but in the capacity to endure, adapt, and accept help. Ben Askren`s comeback is not just a medical triumph; it is a narrative of human resilience, a profound appreciation for life, and the enduring power of community support.
