Former UFC Fighter Ben Askren Diagnosed With ‘Severe’ Illness

A former UFC fighter's wife says that he has been diagnosed with "severe pneumonia," and that he has not been responsive to treatment.

Amy Askren, wife of former UFC fighter Ben, shared the update on her husband over the weekend.

"You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something. He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time," Askren shared in her post.

"We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace."

Wrestling insider Pat Mineo also posted about Askren's condition on social media, adding that the fighter is in "critical condition and battling a severe staph infection."

Askren, 40, began his career as a freestyle wrestler. He won two NCAA championships at Missouri, going 87-0 in his final two seasons. He ended his collegiate career with a 153–8 record and 91 total pins, the third-most in NCAA wrestling history.

After an accomplished college career, Askren competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics with Team USA and won a gold medal in the 2009 world championships.

He made his MMA debut the following year, and signed with Bellator. Askren won the promotion's welterweight championship and held it for nearly three years before leaving the company.

Still undefeated in mixed martial arts, Askren joined the Singapore-based ONE Championship, winning its welterweight championship in his second fight. Askren left ONE in 2017 and made his much-anticipated UFC debut in 2019.

He defeated former UFC champion Robbie Lawler in his first fight, winning by submission in the first round. Askren's next fight would end quickly, as he lost to Jorge Masvidal in one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history - just five seconds.

Askren's final UFC fight was a loss to Demian Maia in October of 2019, but he's remained active in combat sports. 

He made his boxing debut against Jake Paul in 2021 and planned to compete in the newly-founded Real American Freestyle promotion, founded by former pro wrestling star Hulk Hogan.

“I just finished signing my Real American Freestyle contract,” Askren said in a a video posted to social media last month.

“I’ve been waiting to wrestle. I kind of miss competition. I love fighting but I don't have time for that anymore … I'm going to whip some of these young whippersnappers," he said, noting his excitement to get back to wrestling.

Our thoughts are with Askren, his friends, family and loved ones during this time.