Ben Askren News
Former UFC star Ben Askren shares inspiring message amid double lung transplant
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 13, 2025
Ben Askren doesn’t plan to dwell on his current situation. The MMA community was shocked to learn that Askren was in for the fight of his life on a hospital bed. The former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder was in need of a double lung transplant to breathe unassisted.
WATCH | Emotional Ben Askren gives health update from hospital bed: "I only died four times"
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2025
Ben Askren has given an update from his hospital bed after he had a double lung transplant. Askren has been in the hospital for months and is starting to get better after getting the transplant. On Wednesday, he posted a video on his Instagram giving fans a big update on his health and what he was going through.
Former UFC star Corey Anderson praises Ben Askren amidst health concerns
Harry Kettle - July 7, 2025
Former UFC star Corey Anderson has praised his friend Ben Askren as he continues to go through his health scare. As we know, Ben Askren has been dealing with some pretty serious health problems as of late. Between a nasty staph infection and pneumonia, Ben was forced to undergo a double lung transplant. While that has now taken place, there’s still a long road ahead for him as he attempts to recover from this setback.
Former UFC star Ben Askren receives good news amid dire health situation
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 30, 2025
Ben Askren is fighting through a serious health issue, but there is some good news for the retired 22-fight veteran. Severe pneumonia has forced Askren to stay in a hospital bed the past several weeks. Askren’s wife Amy later revealed that the former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder was put on the transplant list. After weeks of uncertainty, Amy has shared on social media that Askren has undergone surgery for a double lung transplant.
Ben Askren may need a lung transplant as he remains on a ventilator, his wife reveals
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2025
Ben Askren remains in the hospital and may need a lung transplant. Ben’s wife, Amy, posted an update on social media revealing that the former UFC fighter remains in the hospital. In the update, Amy revealed that Ben’s health status remains in limbo, but the sedation isn’t as strong, allowing ‘Funky’ to open his eyes and squeeze hands.
Chael Sonnen provides fresh update on Ben Askren’s health crisis
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has provided a fresh update on the current health status of MMA veteran and wrestling legend Ben Askren. In recent days, it’s become public knowledge that former UFC fighter Ben Askren is currently dealing with a pretty severe health problem. He was admitted to hospital, initially relating to a staph infection, with it later coming out that he was suffering from pneumonia. Ever since then, the mixed martial arts world has been quick to flood his family with messages of support.
Daniel Cormier provides update on Ben Askren's health crisis: 'Everybody’s just kind of praying'
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Former UFC star Ben Askren is continue to battle through a frightening health crisis. Earlier this week, Askren’s wife Amy revealed that he has been hospitalized with pneumonia, and that he was effectively non-responsive. From there, several extremely worrying rumors began to surface.
Ben Askren’s wife confirms he has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2025
MMA and wrestling legend Ben Askren has been hospitalized due to a case of severe pneumonia, his wife has announced. Over the course of the last few days, there has been mounting speculation regarding the condition of the great Ben Askren. After fans were asked to pray for him by Ohio State wrestling coach Thomas Ryan, fans were concerned that something serious had happened to the former UFC star. It led to an outpouring of support from the community, many of whom know Ben on a personal level.
Ex-UFC fighter believes Jon Jones will retire instead of fighting Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 20, 2025
One retired UFC fighter is of the belief that it’s more likely that Jon Jones retires. Jones is a surefire Hall of Famer down the road, but many are wondering if he will return to the Octagon for a UFC heavyweight title unification bout against Tom Aspinall. “Bones” hasn’t committed to his next move and has publicly shown more interest in a fight with 205-pound champion Alex Pereira instead of the interim heavyweight titleholder Aspinall.
Ben Askren scorches Dana White for "Weird personality trait" amidst Francis Ngannou feud
Curtis Calhoun - October 29, 2024
Former UFC star Ben Askren sees striking parallels between his past feud with Dana White and what Francis Ngannou has experienced since departing the promotion. Ngannou, who won his PFL debut earlier this month over Renan Ferreira, has been the target of White’s in recent days. After the story of Ngannou’s UFC departure resurfaced, White claimed he’s had issues with Ngannou for years, dating back to Ngannou’s first title fight against Stipe Miocic.
Ben Askren destroys "Addict" Conor McGregor after Michael Chandler ends wait for fight
Curtis Calhoun - September 18, 2024
Ben Askren is the latest to accuse Conor McGregor of substance abuse after Michael Chandler ended his wait for the former two-division UFC champion. McGregor and Chandler were supposed to headline UFC 303 in June for the Irish star’s return to the Octagon. But, McGregor withdrew from the event on weeks’ notice due to a toe injury, and he hasn’t been re-booked for a fight.
Ben Askren sticks up for Daniel Cormier amid war of words with UFC 307 fighter Joaquin Buckley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2024
Former Bellator and ONE champion, Ben Askren, is sticking up for Daniel Cormier amid recent comments made by UFC 307 fighter Joaquin Buckley. Cormier and Buckley had been at odds ever since “New Mansa” was criticized by the UFC Hall of Famer for calling out Conor McGregor. Buckley said that the mothers of Cormier, Michael Bisping, and Chael Sonnen “raised some h*es.” Cormier didn’t take too kindly to this, hurling expletives right back at Buckley.
Ben Askren thinks Jon Jones has dirt on UFC CEO Dana White: "He's playing along, and letting him and Stipe fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
Ben Askren feels there may be something behind the scenes when it comes to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. Many MMA fans have expressed dismay over UFC CEO Dana White sticking to his guns on booking Jones vs. Miocic for the heavyweight title. This is because Tom Aspinall is the current interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, and fans believe he’s the more exciting fight for “Bones.”
Ben Askren can't understand why Conor McGregor hates Khabib Nurmagomedov so much
Harry Kettle - August 8, 2024
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has questioned why Conor McGregor has such a passionate hatred for Khabib Nurmagomedov. It’s been almost six years since Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor. On that famous night at UFC 229, the star from Dagestan put a real beating on the Irishman from beginning to end – outside of a flurry from Conor in the middle of the bout.
Ben Askren accuses Dana White of hypocrisy regarding Jon Jones’ delayed heavyweight return
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren is the latest top name to attempt to push Dana White to let go of the expected Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight. Jones, the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, is expected to return in November against former titleholder Stipe Miocic. He hasn’t fought since winning the then-vacant title at UFC 285, after suffering an injury that forced his withdrawal from a booking against Miocic at UFC 295.
Paige VanZant attempts to clarify the “not a fighter” comments she made about Ben Askren: “Sorry if I hurt his feelings”
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2024
Paige VanZant has attempted to clarify her recent remarks regarding former ONE and UFC fighter Ben Askren. One thing we know to be true about Paige VanZant is that she can make headlines. From her UFC career to BKFC and beyond, she has an ability to draw the attention of the masses.
Ben Askren reacts to Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira chatter: "You can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting here with the interim belt"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 12, 2024
Ben Askren isn’t a fan of the talk of Jon Jones fighting Alex Pereira before he mixes it up with Tom Aspinall. Jones is the UFC Heavyweight Champion, but he hasn’t made a title defense yet despite winning the gold back in March 2023. “Bones” was scheduled to put the championship on the line against Stipe Miocic back in November 2023, but an injury derailed that plan. Tom Aspinall ended up winning the interim heavyweight gold by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.
Ben Askren responds to Paige VanZant jabbing him as 'Not a fighter' despite several world titles
Curtis Calhoun - May 3, 2024
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren hit back at Paige VanZant’s claims that he’s not an athlete worth recognition as a fighter. VanZant is scheduled to face OnlyFans model Elle Brooke for the Misfits Boxing women’s middleweight title on May 25th. She returns to combat sports for the first time since a loss to Rachael Ostovich at Bare Knuckle FC 19.