- MMA legend Ben Askren has been hospitalised after contracting pneumonia
- Former fighter’s wife revealed that the 40-year-old is currently unresponsive
The wife of former MMA world champion and Team USA Olympian Ben Askren has provided an update on his condition after he was rushed to hospital on Sunday.
Reports surfaced this weekend that Askren had been hospitalised, with some claiming the 40-year-old had been suffering from a staph infection.
The news led to an outpouring of support from the MMA community, with former UFC star Chael Sonnen writing on X: ‘Ben is alive and prayers are wanted. Family choosing privacy at this time.’
On Saturday Askren’s wife Amy posted on Facebook to clarify that her husband is unresponsive after being hospitalised following a sudden bout of pneumonia.
The MMA world came together and wished Askren well as he continued his health battle and now, days later, Amy has posted a fresh update.
Taking to Facebook, she wrote: ‘Feeling so incredibly thankful for our friends and community. It’s times like this that remind you how truly blessed you are.
Former MMA fighter Ben Askren was hospitalised following a sudden bout of pneumonia
The news was confirmed on Sunday by Amy Askren (top right) via a post onto her social media
‘I feel God moving through the love and support we have received.
‘I’m sorry if I haven’t had the chance to respond to you, but know I’ve seen your messages, and each one has meant so much to me. Please keep praying for Ben.’
Taking to the social media platform to confirm the news on Sunday, she wrote: ‘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.
‘We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace.
‘We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.’
Known for his suffocating grappling skills, Askren made his MMA debut in 2009 after a decorated collegiate wrestling career that saw him become a two-time NCAA division 1 champion.
The 2008 Olympian would go on a decade-long undefeated streak inside the cage, winning world titles in Bellator and ONE and was widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the world outside the UFC.
Askren was an MMA world champion with fighting organisation ONE – before joining the UFC
Amy Askren urged fans to ‘please keep praying for Ben’ amid his ongoing struggles
Despite a fractious relationship with UFC president Dana White, Askren would go on to make his Octagon debut in 2019 after a trade deal involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
After defeating Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut, Askren would go on to suffer back-to-back losses against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before announcing his retirement from the sport.
Despite undergoing major hip surgery after hanging up his gloves, helater returned to competition, losing to Jake Paul via first-round TKO in April 2021.
Since then Askren has co-hosted the Funky and the Champ podcast alongside his Olympic team-mate Daniel Cormier.
Askren also recently signed with Real American Freestyle—an amateur wrestling promotion headed by WWE legend Hulk Hogan and former WCW executive Eric Bischoff.
