Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ben Askren (blue gloves) before his fight against Jorge Masvidal (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Jorge Masvidal set a new record for the fastest knockout in UFC history with five seconds. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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A Frail Looking Ben Askren’s Health Update Comes With A Moving Message Of Resilience

Ben Askren shares his health update from his home as he looks frail and weak and seems to have lost a lot of weight!

Ben Askren never did anything the easy way. The former Olympic wrestler turned MMA star built his career on being different. While other fighters threw spinning kicks and flying knees, ‘Funky’ relied on his wrestling skills and unorthodox style. He talked trash with a smile and backed it up in the cage. His fights weren’t always pretty, but they were effective. Askren captured titles in Bellator, ONE Championship, and made waves in the UFC before retiring. But his biggest fight wasn’t against any opponent in the octagon.

Life threw Askren a curveball that no amount of training could prepare him for. After spending 59 grueling days in the hospital, Askren underwent a double lung transplant that saved his life. The procedure came after a health crisis so severe that doctors had to bring him back from death four times. Now, the man who once dominated world class athletes struggles with five pound weights and needs a walker to move around. It’s a humbling reality that would break many people’s spirits.

Ben Askren Finally Home; Shares Message Of Determination

Askren’s recent social media update painted a picture of both vulnerability and strength. Speaking from his home after being released from the hospital, he didn’t sugarcoat his current condition. The fighter who once weighed in at a solid 170 pounds (at the weight ins) now sits 35 pounds lighter than where he should be. Simple tasks that most people take for granted have become major challenges.

“I am where I am right now, but I’m going to be somewhere different in a month. I’m going to work my ass off. I’m going to get better, so why can’t you too? What are you waiting for? Right? I’m going to finish somewhere different. And so some of you guys who aren’t getting started, get your butt movin. Get started. I’ve got one way to go. I think you do too. Let’s make it happen.”

Former UFC and Wrestling star Ben Askren speaks after life saving surgery. pic.twitter.com/WEnSCET3kb
— Sniper 🇦🇺 (@JoshMichalski) July 26, 2025

Here’s where Askren’s fighting spirit shines through the physical weakness. Instead of wallowing in self pity, he’s treating recovery like another opponent to defeat. The same mental toughness that carried him through brutal wrestling matches and MMA fights now fuels his rehabilitation. He knows the road ahead will be long and painful, but he’s already planning his comeback strategy.

The wrestling champion who once frustrated opponents with his relentless pressure is now applying that same approach to his recovery. Each day brings small victories and setbacks, but Askren keeps grinding. His message resonates because it comes from someone who has genuinely hit rock bottom and is clawing his way back up. When a fighter who needs help walking tells you to get moving, you listen. We wish Ben Askren a speedy recovery and a long happy life ahead.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Ben Askren

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!