MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a severe case of pneumonia, said in a post on social media Wednesday that he had undergone a double lung transplant and is in recovery.

Former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren says his heart stopped four times, leading to him receiving a double lung transplant.

Askren is on the road to recovery after undergoing a double lung transplant and losing more than 50 lbs. during his illness

Askren transitioned to MMA after an amateur wrestling career that saw him represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He quickly found success in the cage after winning the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament before capturing the welterweight title in 2010.'

Former NCAA wrestling champion Ben Askren has shared a shocking health update after being hospitalized for the past month. On June 7, Ben’s wife announced on Facebook that the 40-year-old athlete had been hospitalized in Wisconsin due to a severe case of pneumonia,

Former U.S. Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren shared an emotional update for the first time since undergoing lung transplant surgery.

Ben stepped down from professional mixed martial arts in 2019, and he suffered from a serious health crisis in 2025. Learn more about the decorated ex-fighter and wrestler.

Former UFC fighter and ex-Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren knows he is lucky just to be alive. Askren is currently recovering following a double lung transplant. Askren suffered severe pneumonia that became a staph infection. He was placed on life support but provided his first public comments recently.