Former UFC Star Ben Askren Talks Lung Transplant, Aims to Live 'Healthy, Full Life'

Mixed martial arts legend Ben Askren has a positive long-term prognosis after recently undergoing a double lung transplant.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Askren said he's hopeful to "live a happy, healthy, full life like I want to."

Amy Askren, Ben's wife, announced on June 7 that he had been hospitalized with a "severe" case of pneumonia that "came on very suddenly."

In a follow-up message on June 17, Amy noted Ben was on a ventilator and his body was still in a state that it couldn't "handle coming off sedation too much yet." She also wrote that doctors started the evaluation process for a lung transplant.

Askren received a double lung transplant on June 30. He told TMZ that doctors have told him people in similar situations to his have been able to "run marathons" after having this type of procedure.

"Getting a second chance on life, it's going to be interesting. I've always tried to make the most of life, and I'm going to continue to try to do that," Askren said.

Askren, 41, had a brief stint in UFC at the end of his career. He went 1-2 in three fights with the promotion in 2019, defeating Robbie Lawler in his debut at UFC 235.

Prior to his UFC move, Askren was one of the most dominant fighters in Bellator and ONE. He went 16-0 with one no contest in 17 fights for the two promotions.

Askren had a nearly four year run as Bellator welterweight champion from October 2010 to April 2014, successfully defending the title four times after winning it from Lyman Good.

The Iowa native also held the ONE welterweight title for four years before vacating it when he moved to UFC. He finished his MMA career with a 19-2 record with one no contest in 22 matches.