In a segment of his recent podcast episode, MMA star Jorge Masvidal opened up about one of the most unexpected experiences of his life: attending former rival Ben Askren’s baptism.
The two athletes have a well-documented history, yet Masvidal revealed that Askren personally reached out and invited him.
“I never in a million years would have imagined that this guy would want me anywhere near him, his family, his wife, and kids,” Masvidal said. “But he called me, got in contact with the group, asked us to come out for his baptism, and I was more than humbled.”
He described the experience as one of the most meaningful of his life. “I’ve done a lot of cool things in life. This might have been one of the coolest ones I’ve ever done,” he said.
The backdrop to Askren’s baptism was a serious medical ordeal. After contracting a staph infection that spread to his bloodstream and caused his lungs to collapse, Askren required a double lung transplant.
Masvidal noted a personal connection to the situation, having dealt with his own staph infection just eight to ten days earlier. “I had a tennis ball size of staph right on my hip. Thank goodness it wasn’t that bad,” he said.
As Askren’s condition worsened, Masvidal kept close tabs on his former rival. What moved him most, beyond the physical battle, was the spiritual shift that followed.
Askren, who had long been open about his atheism, emerged from the experience as a man of faith.
“For those that know Ben, he’s always been like a strong atheist. He passes away four times clinically, gets pronounced de*d, and he comes back a God-fearing man,” Masvidal said. “That just moved me in such a powerful way that, still talking about it, I get goosebumps. It shakes me to my core.”
Masvidal also reflected on what the invitation itself meant. “Out of a million people he could have had at this baptism, he asked me to be there,” he said. “It just shows the power of God. When God touches you, it just changes your life, your ego, everything.”
He wrapped up with admiration for Askren’s recovery, noting that just four months after the transplant, his former rival was back on the Aerodyne bike and running wrestling drills.
“To me, it’s just mind-blowing the attrition that this guy has,” Masvidal said. “As everybody knows, he’s never been the fastest or the strongest or the best athlete, but what always set him apart was his work ethic, his attrition, and his take-no attitude.”
Masvidal closed with a direct message for Askren and an open invitation for him and his family to come to Miami.
“Nothing but love and respect for you, my brother,” he said. “Thank you, Ben, because that really opened up my eyes to what life is and what life is about.”
