Ben Askren has revealed the incredible toll his health episode has taken on him in a new social media post on Saturday.
UFC cult hero Askren, regarded as one of the world’s top lightweight fighters during the peak of his career, has been the subject of widespread concern among the MMA community after being hospitalised with pneumonia.
Askren, 41, required a double lung transplant to save his life and returned home from hospital this week. He has been told by doctors that he s fully capable of living a lengthy, healthy life.
But for now, the American former wrestler has a long journey to a full recovery, revealing on Instagram that he struggles to lift a five-pound dumbbell, such is his lack of strength post health crisis.
‘I’ve been home for four days now,’ he began. ‘It’s awesome. I get to sleep in my own bed, eat my own food, hang out with my family, it’s great.
‘That being said, I’ve still got so many physical challenges to deal with. I’m still down abot 35 pounds from where I should be. I can’t walk. This five-pound weight, it’s actually hard for me to curl.
Ben Askren has revealed he has a long road ahead as he targets a full recovery
Askren (pictured before his recent health episode) received a double lung transplant after contracting a severe case of pneumonia
‘Right before I had to go to the hospital I was feeling strong, I was able to curl 45 pounds. I was out doing hill sprints.’
However, Askren, who struggled to speak at certain points of video and had to catch his breath, is determined to improve his condition.
‘I am where I am now,’ he said. ‘But I know I’ll be somewhere different in a month.’
Askren previously revealed that he had died four times before his life-saving transplant.
‘So, I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,’ he said.
‘But, I got the double lung transplant and made it out to the other side of it. I was actually 147lbs. I haven’t been 147lbs since 15-years-old.
‘The thing that was most impactful to me was the love I felt from everybody. It was almost like I got to have my own funeral.
‘The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good. So I’m more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out.
‘I love you guys and I appreciate you guys. This has been tough. Not only on me but on my whole family and community.
‘I hope you guys appreciate the update and sometime down the road maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more’.
Last month, Askren’s wife Amy confirmed the news that the wrestling star received a life-saving double lung transplant after suffering from ‘severe pneumonia’.
Askren’s family have been calling for donations in recent weeks, with the cost of a lung transplant in the United States ranging from $300,000 (£222,915) to $400,000 (£297,220).
Askren retired from MMA in 2019 after a three-fight stint with the UFC.
He 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.
Despite a fractious relationship with Dana White, Askren would 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 suffered back-to-back losses against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before announcing his retirement.
Despite undergoing major hip surgery after hanging up his gloves, Askren later returned to competition, losing to Jake Paul via first-round TKO in a boxing match.
He married his wife in 2010 and they share three children, two daughters and a son.
More to follow.
