Former UFC star Ben Askren has shown signs of improvement while battling a severe health crisis, according to recent updates from close associates and family. The wrestling champion, who was initially hospitalized in Las Vegas during a cryptocurrency event, has regained some responsiveness despite still requiring a lung transplant.
“He was able to open his eyes and squeeze hands, showing some responsiveness,” reported Pat Mineo from The Wrestling Room. “He is still expected to need a lung transplant, but some of his levels are improving and he is fighting like a Champ!”
Fellow MMA veteran Chael Sonnen has been providing regular updates on Askren‘s condition, revealing that medical staff discovered Askren‘s body was “full of staph,” a bacterial infection commonly associated with wrestling environments. Complications from this infection reportedly led to pneumonia and sepsis, significantly worsening his condition.
“It never leaves your body. It stays with you,” Sonnen explained regarding staph infections, drawing from his own wrestling experience.
One of the most serious aspects of Askren‘s medical situation involves a hole in his lung, though the cause remains unclear.
“For the information that I’ve been given, he don’t have an answer as to how or I guess as to even why there was a hole in his lung,” Sonnen shared.
The Askren family’s primary concern was transferring Ben from Nevada to his home state of Wisconsin.
“One of the things the family really wanted to do was to get Ben, like this was priority number one, they wanted to get Ben from Nevada where he was to Wisconsin,” Sonnen explained. “Just geographically speaking, if this is to be the end, they wanted it in Wisconsin.”
That transfer has successfully taken place, with Askren now receiving care in a Wisconsin medical facility. His wife Amy has requested privacy during this challenging time but welcomes support from well-wishers.
“I was able to speak to the lovely Amy, Ben’s wife, one time,” Sonnen said. “She did make it clear in this one time that we talked that there wasn’t going to be a lot of talking, but what was really hoped for was prayers and thoughts.”
The family had initially kept Askren‘s hospitalization private for several days before the news became public. As the MMA community rallies around one of its most distinctive personalities, Mineo echoed the sentiment shared by many:
“Keep praying for Ben Askren.”
