Former UFC Star Ben Askren Remains Hospitalized, Could Require Lung Transplant

Former MMA champion Ben Askren remains hospitalized from severe pneumonia and may now require a lung transplant, per his wife Amy, who provided a Facebook update that read in part:

"Ben is still on a ventilator and ecmo (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, but on the good, they have been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands. His body can’t handle coming off sedation too much yet. I’m still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant.

"Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily. I know transplants are such a blessing and I’m overwhelmed at the thought of him receiving a gift like that. No one would take better care of that gift than Ben."

Amy Askren revealed on Saturday, June 7, that her husband was "unable to respond to anything" after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani offered more information on the 40-year-old fighter.

Askren was a two-time national champion wrestler (174-pound division) at the University of Missouri in 2006 and 2007. He became a professional MMA fighter in 2009 and later earned the welterweight championship for Bellator and later ONE Championship. Askren fought three times in the UFC at the end of his MMA career, which resulted in a 19-2 record with one no-contest.

Askren announced his retirement after his UFC stint, citing hip issues that had been bothering him for the past three to five years.

The University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Famer has been married since 2010 to Amy Askren, and they have two daughters and a son together.