BREAKING: Ben Askren Hospitalized with Severe Pneumonia – Former UFC Star Provides Update

MMA fans worldwide are rallying behind former UFC fighter and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin due to a severe case of pneumonia. The combat sports community was shocked when news broke about the 39-year-old’s serious health situation.

Askren’s Condition: What We Know So Far

Askren, known for his world-class wrestling and brief but memorable UFC career, took to social media to inform fans about his health battle. The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion has apparently been dealing with this serious respiratory infection that warranted hospitalization.

“Never been this sick in my life,” Askren reportedly shared in his social media update, giving fans a glimpse into the severity of his condition. The typically resilient fighter, who has faced the toughest opponents in the cage, now finds himself in a different kind of fight.

From Olympic Mats to MMA Stardom: Askren’s Journey

For those who might not be familiar with Askren’s storied career, “Funky” represented the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a wrestler before transitioning to mixed martial arts. His unique personality and unorthodox but highly effective wrestling style quickly made him a fan favorite.

Askren dominated Bellator and ONE Championship, amassing an impressive undefeated record before finally joining the UFC in 2019. Though his UFC run was brief, it included memorable moments against fighters like Robbie Lawler and Jorge Masvidal.

The Fighting Spirit Outside the Cage

If there’s one thing we know about Ben Askren, it’s that he’s a fighter through and through. The same determination that took him from collegiate wrestling championships to Olympic competition and MMA world titles will undoubtedly serve him well in this health battle.

This isn’t the first time Askren has faced adversity. After suffering the fastest knockout in UFC history against Jorge Masvidal (5 seconds), he showed remarkable resilience and good humor in handling the setback, proving his mental toughness extends beyond physical competition.

MMA Community Rallies Behind Askren

The response from the fighting community has been swift and supportive. Current and former fighters, coaches, and fans have flooded social media with well-wishes for Askren’s speedy recovery.

Fellow wrestlers and MMA fighters have particularly emphasized how Askren’s fighting spirit will help him overcome this health challenge, just as it has helped him throughout his athletic career.

What Exactly Is Severe Pneumonia?

Pneumonia becomes classified as “severe” when it significantly impacts breathing and oxygen levels in the blood. In severe cases like Askren appears to be experiencing, hospitalization is necessary to provide oxygen support, intravenous antibiotics, and close monitoring.

For athletes who typically operate at peak physical condition, respiratory illnesses can be particularly challenging, as their bodies are accustomed to high-performance breathing capacity.

Askren’s Post-Fighting Career

Since retiring from MMA competition following his submission loss to Demian Maia in 2019, Askren has remained active in combat sports. He notably faced Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021 and has been involved in wrestling coaching and cryptocurrency ventures.

He’s also maintained his status as one of the most outspoken and entertaining personalities in combat sports through his social media presence and podcast appearances, making him a continued favorite among MMA fans.

Recovery Timeline and What’s Next

While specific details about Askren’s recovery timeline haven’t been disclosed, severe pneumonia typically requires at least several days of hospitalization followed by weeks of recovery at home.

For elite athletes like Askren, the path back to full physical capacity may be quicker than for the average person, but respiratory infections can be particularly challenging even for those in excellent physical condition.

Send Your Support

Fans looking to send well-wishes to Askren can do so through his social media channels, where he has remained relatively active despite his condition. The MMA community has always been tight-knit in times of adversity, and this situation is no different.

As we await further updates on Askren’s condition, the entire combat sports world stands united in hoping for a swift and complete recovery for one of the sport’s most unique and accomplished figures.

We’ll continue to monitor this developing situation and provide updates as they become available. From all of us at MMA News, we wish Ben a speedy recovery and return to full health.

Source: Ben Askren’s social media account