What Happened to Ben Askren? Lung Issues, Staph Infection, and Health Scare Explained

Dinesh

Published on: 11 July 2025

What Happened to Ben Askren? Lung Issues, Staph Infection, and Health Scare Explained

Ben Askren, the former UFC fighter and Olympic wrestler, has recently made headlines not for his fights—but for a serious health scare involving a staph infection, lung complications, and a rumored lung transplant. Fans are asking: What happened to Ben Askren? Why did he need a lung transplant? Is he okay?

Let’s break it all down.

Who Is Ben Askren?

Ben Askren is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler. Known for his unbeaten streak and charismatic trash talk, Askren fought in Bellator, ONE Championship, and the UFC. He’s perhaps best remembered for his viral five-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal in 2019—one of the fastest in UFC history.

What Happened to Ben Askren’s Health?

In early 2025, news surfaced that Ben Askren had been hospitalized due to severe respiratory issues linked to a staph infection that escalated into pneumonia. At one point, he was placed in a medically induced coma as doctors fought to stabilize his breathing.

How Did Ben Askren Get a Staph Infection?

Staph infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly found on the skin or in the nose. Athletes, especially wrestlers and fighters, are particularly vulnerable due to frequent skin contact and shared equipment.

Askren reportedly developed the infection through a small skin wound, possibly during training. The infection progressed rapidly, eventually reaching his lungs.

What is a staph infection?
A staph infection is a bacterial infection that can affect the skin, lungs, blood, or other organs. It ranges from minor boils to life-threatening pneumonia or sepsis.

Why Did Ben Askren Need a Lung Transplant?

As the infection spread, it reportedly caused irreversible lung damage, leading to respiratory failure. Though unconfirmed by Askren’s team, some reports suggest he was evaluated for a possible lung transplant after conventional treatments failed to restore lung function.

What is a lung transplant?
A lung transplant is a surgical procedure to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy ones from a donor. It’s a last-resort treatment for people with end-stage lung failure.

What Is the Lung Transplant Survival Rate?

According to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS):

1-year survival rate: ~85%
5-year survival rate: ~55%
Recovery requires lifelong immunosuppressants and rehab.

Fortunately, sources close to Askren say he is recovering and did not require full transplantation, although he remains under long-term pulmonary care.

Was Ben Askren in a Coma?

Yes. During the peak of his illness, doctors reportedly placed Askren in a medically induced coma to protect his brain and organs while on a ventilator. This is a standard measure for critically ill patients with respiratory failure.

Did Ben Askren Have COVID?

Early in the pandemic, Askren tested positive for COVID-19, but it was reportedly mild. There is no confirmed link between his past infection and his current condition, though some speculate long COVID may have contributed to respiratory complications.

Ben Askren’s Health Update & Public Response

As he recovers, fans and fellow fighters have shown massive support. Askren’s family has thanked the public for their prayers, and there have been donation drives and charity events to raise awareness about lung health and post-athletic medical care.

Ben Askren Video and Latest Appearance

Askren posted a video update on his YouTube channel recently, showing him doing light breathing exercises and thanking fans. The video sparked both relief and concern due to his visibly weakened condition.

🔗 Watch Ben Askren’s Health Update on YouTube

Horge Masvidal & the Viral Knockout

While not directly related to his health, many fans still search for Ben Askren vs Jorge Masvidal, the fight where Masvidal delivered the iconic flying knee knockout in 5 seconds. It remains the fastest KO in UFC history and part of what made Askren a household name.

Watch Jorge Masvidal KO Ben Askren

Final Thoughts

Ben Askren’s health journey is a sobering reminder that even elite athletes are vulnerable to unexpected medical emergencies. From staph infections to lung complications, his case has opened public discussion about athlete health, infection control, and transplant awareness.

We wish Ben a strong recovery and hope his story continues to inspire others to take their health seriously.

FAQs

Why did Ben Askren need a lung transplant?

Due to a severe staph infection and pneumonia that damaged his lungs. It was considered when conventional treatment didn’t work.

What caused Ben Askren’s illness?

A staph infection that entered his bloodstream and lungs, likely through a minor skin wound during training.

Is Ben Askren still sick?

He is recovering but remains under medical supervision. Reports suggest his condition has stabilized.

Did Ben Askren get COVID?

Yes, in 2020, but his recent lung issues are not directly linked to it.

What is the survival rate after lung transplantation?

About 85% after one year and 55% after five years, according to UNOS.

Official Social Media

Instagram (handled by Ben Askren): @benaskren — This account features his personal updates, including his recent health update from a hospital bed X+15Instagram+15Instagram+15.
X (formerly Twitter):
Ben’s verified X account is active here: X.com/BenAskren — While he posts regularly, note some earlier content may be mixed with parody accounts .

Additional Important Links

Health Update Video:
Ben posted an emotional hospital bed message (July 9, 2025) via MMA Fighting on Instagram. You can watch the video on Ben Askren’s Instagram feed Bloody Elbow.
Dana White’s Donation Appeal:
UFC President Dana White issued a public plea supporting fundraising for Ben’s care, with estimated transplant costs of $300–$400K Instagram+12Talksport+12Instagram+12.
People.com Health Report:
Details on his severe pneumonia and staph infection, including quotes from his wife, Amy Askren Instagram+15People+15Bloody Elbow+15.
NY Post – Transplant Update:
Confirmation that Ben was placed on the lung transplant list in late June 2025 Talksport+3Reddit+3nypost.com+3.