UFC president Dana White has leveraged his massive social media platform to rally support for former UFC welterweight Ben Askren, who remains hospitalized while battling a life-threatening lung condition that requires transplant surgery.
The 40-year-old former welterweight is currently on a ventilator in his home state of Wisconsin, with severe pneumonia that developed from a staph infection. His wife Amy recently provided a sobering update on Facebook, explaining that “his body can’t handle coming off sedation too much yet” and that doctors have begun evaluating him for a lung transplant procedure.
“I’m still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for a lung transplant,” Amy Askren shared with concerned fans and supporters.
White, recognizing the gravity of the situation, shared a fundraising link with his 10.5 million Instagram followers with a simple message: “Click the link to help Ben Askren.” The UFC executive’s public appeal brings significant visibility to the medical crisis facing the retired athlete and his family.
The financial reality of lung transplant surgery in America presents a staggering challenge. According to the National Institutes of Health, such procedures typically cost between $300,000 and $400,000, not including the extensive post-operative care and ongoing medical expenses that follow.
Askren’s career journey took him from collegiate wrestling excellence to mixed martial arts stardom. The 2008 Olympian dominated as a two-time NCAA Division I champion before transitioning to professional competition in 2009. His decade-long undefeated streak included championship reigns in both Bellator and ONE Championship, establishing him as one of the sport’s elite competitors outside the UFC’s roster.
Despite previous tensions between White and Askren, the fighter eventually joined the UFC in 2019 through a notable trade involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. His octagon tenure proved brief but memorable, beginning with a controversial victory over Robbie Lawler before suffering decisive losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, leading to his retirement from mixed martial arts.
The former champion later returned to competition in a different arena, taking on YouTube personality Jake Paul in a boxing match that ended in first-round defeat. Throughout his career transitions, Askren built a family life with his wife Amy, whom he married in 2010, and their three children.
Amy Askren has been transparent about the medical journey ahead, acknowledging both the challenges and cautious optimism surrounding her husband’s condition. She described the daily reality as having “good days and bad,” while medical professionals work to determine the best path forward for his treatment.
