Ben Askren Melts Hearts With First Social Media Post Since Life-Threatening Health Issue

The entire MMA community unites when a fighter faces life-changing struggles, showing unmatched support all the time. That’s exactly what happened recently to former UFC star and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren, who suffered a severe medical crisis. After weeks of uncertainty and speculation, new updates revealed positive progress in Askren’s recovery following his double lung transplant.

On June 7, 2025, Amy Askren announced Ben was hospitalized after developing severe pneumonia caused by a life-threatening staph infection. He was placed on a ventilator and supported with ECMO in Las Vegas while battling critical respiratory failure. False rumors have circulated online claiming Askren tragically passed away, causing widespread concern and shock among his fans and supporters.

Despite viral posts and misleading memes, Askren remains alive and steadily recovering, debunking all the false death rumors circulating online. Recently, the fighter shared Instagram stories thanking those who supported him, offering clear signs that he’s very much alive. However, the recovery journey has been incredibly difficult, involving surgery, emotional strain, and a long road toward regaining full health.

Doctors evaluated him for a double lung transplant after determining his lungs suffered irreversible damage from infection and pneumonia. On June 30, Askren successfully received a double lung transplant in Wisconsin, thanks to an anonymous donor and a skilled medical team.

Ben Askren has posted on Instagram
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MMA and combat sports community figures, including Jake Paul, Maycee Barber, and Daniel Cormier, publicly rallied, urging financial donations to cover transplant costs. His colleagues like Corey Anderson shared an emotional tribute, crediting Askren for shaping his life and career with heartfelt appreciation.

Wisconsin wrestlers organized a fundraiser exceeding $500,000 after an insurance company didn’t cover his transplant cost. They celebrated the Olympic wrestler as grand marshal in the hometown parade for his inspiring resilience.

Fight fans react to Ben Askren’s recent posts on social media

Staph infections are fairly common in the UFC due to close-contact training, shared mats, and cuts sustained during sparring or fights. Fighters like Dustin Poirier, Robert Whittaker, and Benoit Saint-Denis have suffered from staph, sometimes forcing fight cancelations.

Poor gym hygiene, untreated wounds, and overtraining weaken immunity, making fighters more vulnerable to such potentially dangerous bacterial infections. It has quietly become one of the most staple part of MMA in recent years, with most fighters suffering from it.

Following Ben Askren’s recent situation, discussions surrounding staph infections and their dangers have significantly intensified across the combat sports community. Awareness about infection prevention has risen sharply, with medical experts stressing proper gym hygiene and personal care to protect athletes. Nevertheless, here are some reactions from the fighter’s latest interactions on Reddit and X.

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This is really good news! We need more good news like this in our world.

— John Wilkerson (@jwilkers) June 30, 2025

Holy hell, I’m glad he’s okay! Huge role model! I attended his wrestling camps in Columbia Missouri at the Hearnes Center when I was a kid!

— Dylan (@bnuggsi) June 30, 2025

Appreciate every moment of your life folks, it can be over in a blink of an eye. Prayers for Askren and his family.

— Joe Maxims Ghost (@joehateszogs) June 30, 2025

As expected, fans were thrilled to see Ben Askren doing well after he shared recovery updates on his Instagram stories. Social media buzzed with debates about his health and the shocking refusal by his insurance company to cover surgery expenses.

The American wrestler’s situation highlighted concerns around athlete healthcare, especially when unexpected medical issues are left unsupported by traditional insurance systems.

Currently, the former UFC fighter is under close medical supervision at a Wisconsin facility, showing steady signs of improvement each day. Despite progress, he now faces a long and challenging road ahead, with months of post-surgery rehabilitation and physiotherapy still remaining.

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