Former UFC Star Ben Askren Hospitalized with Severe Pneumonia, Other Illnesses

Former UFC star Ben Askren has been hospitalized with "severe pneumonia," his wife Amy Askren said Saturday on social media.

"He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time," Amy Askren wrote. "We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace."

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani wrote that Askren had developed pneumonia "in addition to other serious illnesses."

Ben Askren, 40, won two NCAA championships as a college wrestler at the University of Missouri.

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame hailed him "as the winningest and most decorated wrestler in Mizzou history" when he was inducted in 2024.

He qualified for the US Olympic team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, then went on to pursue a professional MMA career.

Askren (19-2, 1 NC) made his UFC debut in 2019, then cited hip issues when retiring from the sport later that year.

He and his wife have three children, according to her Instagram.