MMA and Wrestling Legend Ben Askren ‘Unable to Respond’ After Serious Staph Infection and Pneumonia

UFC veteran and wrestling coach, Ben Askren, was hospitalized after suffering from severe pneumonia and a staph infection.

MMA and Wrestling Legend Ben Askren ‘Unable to Respond’ After Serious Staph Infection and Pneumonia

Ben Askren fails to respond as he suffers from severe pneumonia (via MMA Fighting)

In the world of MMA, injuries and health hazards are extremely common, and during these times, the community always comes together. Recently, former UFC fighter Ben Askren has faced a somewhat similar situation, which has reportedly left him completely unresponsive and unconscious. Following the news breaking out, it has garnered widespread attention from many fans, and more specific details have also come out.

Askren had retired from UFC back in 2019 after losing back-to-back fights against Jorge Masvidal and veteran grappler Demian Maia. Following that period, he stayed busy making MMA-related content and often collaborated with Daniel Cormier on their shared YouTube podcast. However, recently, the retired fighter has faced a severe situation, and his wife Amy Askren posted a detailed Facebook update about it.

He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.

Amy Askren via Facebook

According to reports, Askren developed pneumonia following a serious staph infection, which likely occurred during one of his training sessions. Staph infections are extremely common among MMA fighters due to the intense physical contact and shared training environments like mats and gyms. If not treated quickly, such infections can escalate and cause serious complications, including respiratory issues.

Recently, staph infections have affected several UFC fighters, including Merab Dvalishvili, who shared gruesome images after undergoing painful treatment. Benoit Saint Denis also revealed he suffered from staph during training camp, nearly pulling out of a scheduled fight due to the severity.

The UFC community remains concerned as infected fighters continue training and competing, risking serious health complications and potential spread.

Fight fans and veterans react to Ben Askren’s recent hospitalisation

Ben Askren is highly respected for his exceptional wrestling career and his successful run as a professional mixed martial artist. He became Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion, showcasing elite grappling skills and a strategic fighting style. Many fighters and veterans admire his intelligence and contribution as an analyst and podcast host in the MMA community.

Ben Askren gets massive support from UFC veterans
Ben Askren gets massive support from UFC veterans (via X)

However, nobody expected the fighter to suffer such a serious situation, requiring hospitalization and becoming completely unresponsive unexpectedly. In Askren’s case, the infection reportedly spread very rapidly, causing his current critical and unresponsive medical condition. The MMA community, including passionate fans and fellow fighters, has shown immense support, praying for his full recovery.

Askren’s UFC run was controversial, starting with a rare trade that sent Demetrious Johnson to ONE Championship in exchange. He won his UFC debut controversially against Robbie Lawler, with many disputing the referee stoppage that awarded Askren the win. The wrestling legend then suffered the fastest knockout in UFC history, losing to Jorge Masvidal in just five seconds.

Later, he moved to boxing and lost by first-round knockout to YouTuber Jake Paul, damaging his legacy across combat sports. Despite setbacks, Askren remains respected for his wrestling pedigree and influence, especially outside the cage as a wrestling coach and an analyst.

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