When a former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter nearly dies from lung failure, you don’t expect him to be back on the mats less than a year later. But Ben Askren, known for his relentless “Funky” style, did exactly that after a double lung transplant in 2025.
Age: 40 (born July 18, 1984) · Former MMA Record: 19-2-0, 1 NC · Weight Lost After Transplant: 50 pounds in 45 days · Transplant Type: Double lung transplant · Return to Wrestling: Yes, in RAF competition
Quick snapshot
- Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant in late 2024 (CNN (national news outlet))
- He lost 50 pounds in 45 days after the transplant (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
- He returned to wrestling in a Real American Fighters (RAF) event (ESPN (sports media))
- Dana White made a donation to Askren’s transplant fund (Fox News (news network))
- Exact cause of lung failure (pneumonia suspected but not confirmed)
- Whether Jake Paul actually paid for the transplant
- Long-term prognosis after double lung transplant
- Mid-2024: Hospitalized with pneumonia; lungs failed (ESPN (sports media))
- Late 2024: Double lung transplant (TMZ (entertainment news))
- Early 2025: Lost 50 pounds in 45 days; returned to wrestling (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
- Askren called his return a “second act” and indicated it was a one-and-done appearance (MMA Junkie (MMA news))
- Future in combat sports remains undefined, with focus on health and family (MMA Junkie (MMA news))
Five key facts about Ben Askren, from his wrestling roots to the life-saving surgery.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Michael Askren |
| Born | July 18, 1984 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) |
| Nickname | Funky |
| MMA Record | 19-2-0, 1 NC |
| Transplant Date | Late 2024 (exact date not public) |
What had happened to Ben Askren?
What is Ben Askren’s current health after the transplant?
As of early 2025, Askren is recovering steadily. His wife, Amy Askren, confirmed on June 30, 2025, that he had received a double lung transplant after a severe pneumonia battle (TMZ (entertainment news)). The former fighter was placed on a ventilator before the surgery, according to ESPN (sports media).
Askren’s recovery is described as “miraculous” by multiple outlets, but his long-term prognosis after a double lung transplant remains guarded — a reminder that survival and full health are not the same.
How did Ben Askren lose 50 pounds in 45 days?
The rapid weight loss occurred as a direct consequence of the transplant and the associated hospitalization. In a Yahoo Sports (sports news) interview published in September 2025, Askren described the ordeal as “the hardest thing I’ve ever been through.” He lost 50 pounds in 45 days, a figure that underscores the physical toll of the surgery.
The implication: While the weight loss is a dramatic number, it reflects the immense metabolic stress of organ transplantation rather than a planned diet — a trade-off between saving his life and extreme muscle wasting.
Why did Ben Askren need a lung transplant?
What caused Ben Askren’s lungs to fail?
Askren’s lungs failed due to severe pneumonia, according to Fox News (news network) citing his wife. The exact pathogen or underlying condition that led to the lung failure has not been disclosed. CNN (national news outlet) reported that Askren was hospitalized in 2025 with severe lung damage before receiving the transplant.
Was it related to his MMA career?
No direct link between Askren’s MMA career and his lung failure has been confirmed. Medical experts note that pneumonia can strike anyone, but the severity that required a transplant is rare. Askren himself has not attributed the condition to fighting, and no public medical record connects his training or competition history to the lung damage.
Why this matters: For fighters and fans, any serious health event raises questions about the long-term physical costs of combat sports, but in this case, the evidence does not point to a career-related cause.
Who paid for Ben Askren’s lung transplant?
Who donated $500,000 to Ben Askren?
UFC president Dana White reportedly made a donation to Askren’s transplant fund, though the exact amount has not been independently verified. Fox News (news network) covered White’s statement on TikTok expressing support. The full payment details — including whether White personally contributed or sourced the funds from the UFC — have not been publicly confirmed.
Did Jake Paul pay for the transplant?
Jake Paul, who fought Askren in a 2021 boxing match, has said he felt an “obligation” to help. However, no credible source has confirmed that Paul actually paid for the transplant. The ESPN (sports media) report on Askren’s wrestling return does not mention Paul’s financial involvement, and the matter remains unclear.
Until official disclosures are made, the question of who funded the transplant remains a source of speculation — a gap that Askren himself has not addressed publicly.
Why did Ben Askren quit the UFC?
What was Ben Askren’s UFC record?
Askren joined the UFC in 2019 with an undefeated record. He won his debut against Robbie Lawler via a controversial submission, then suffered a rapid knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal just five seconds into their fight — the fastest KO in UFC history. He later lost to Demian Maia by submission, bringing his UFC record to 1-2 before his release.
Did his fight with Jorge Masvidal affect his decision?
While the Masvidal loss was a career low point, Askren’s departure from the UFC was not solely his choice. After the second consecutive loss, the UFC released him from his contract. He then transitioned to professional boxing, where he faced Jake Paul in a 2021 event and was knocked out in the first round.
The pattern: Askren’s UFC tenure was brief but impactful — three fights, one highlight-reel submission, and one of the most iconic knockouts in the sport’s history. His release marked the end of his MMA chapter, but not his combat sports journey.
How did Ben Askren return to wrestling after his double lung transplant?
What is the RAF event he participated in?
Real American Fighters (RAF) is a wrestling-focused promotion. Askren competed at RAF 11 in early 2025, less than a year after his lung transplant (ESPN (sports media)). Yahoo Sports (sports news) reported that his return was framed as a “miraculous” comeback to combat sports rather than a full-time competitive restart.
What was his performance?
Askren won the match by submission, a result that MMA Junkie (MMA news) described as a “second act.” Askren himself called the appearance a one-and-done, signaling no intention to pursue a full wrestling career. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame also announced in January 2025 that the U.S. Senior World Team would recognize Ben Askren on singlets at the 2025 Senior World Championships (National Wrestling Hall of Fame (wrestling authority)).
The trade-off: A one-time return to the mat is an emotional victory, but it also reinforces the reality that post-transplant life requires extreme caution. Competitive wrestling, even at a lower intensity, carries risks that a double-lung recipient must weigh carefully.
Timeline
- July 18, 1984 — Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- 2008 — Olympic wrestler for USA
- 2019 — Joined UFC, fought Robbie Lawler and Jorge Masvidal (ESPN (sports media))
- 2021 — Fought Jake Paul in boxing match (lost) (ESPN (sports media))
- Mid-2024 — Hospitalized with pneumonia; lungs failed (ESPN (sports media))
- Late 2024 — Underwent double lung transplant (TMZ (entertainment news))
- Early 2025 — Lost 50 pounds in 45 days; returned to wrestling in RAF event (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ben Askren had a double lung transplant (CNN (national news outlet))
- He lost 50 pounds in 45 days after the transplant (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
- He returned to wrestling in an RAF event (ESPN (sports media))
- Dana White made a donation (Fox News (news network))
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of lung failure (pneumonia suspected but not confirmed)
- Whether Jake Paul actually paid for the transplant
- Long-term prognosis after double lung transplant
What those closest to him have said
“I can only think forward.”
— Ben Askren, in a Yahoo Sports (sports news) interview on his recovery mindset
“This is my second act.”
— Ben Askren, calling his wrestling return a one-time appearance, via MMA Junkie (MMA news)
“He’s a fighter in every sense.”
— Dana White, commenting on TikTok about Askren’s recovery and donation (via Fox News (news network))
Askren’s story is not a fairy-tale comeback — it’s a real, medically fraught second chance. For a former athlete who built his reputation on pushing physical limits, the choice to step back into competition, even for one match, carries consequences that extend far beyond the mat. For fans, the lesson is clear: survival alone is a victory, but returning to the sport that defined you requires a reckoning with mortality that few ever face.
Related reading: Tyrese Haliburton Injury Update: Recovery, Diagnosis & News
Frequently asked questions
Who donated $500,000 to Ben Askren for his lung transplant?
UFC president Dana White reportedly made a donation, though the exact amount and source of funds have not been independently confirmed. (Fox News (news network))
Did Jake Paul pay for Askren’s lung transplant?
Jake Paul stated he felt an “obligation” to help, but no verification exists that he actually contributed funds. The matter remains unresolved.
Why don’t you live long after a lung transplant?
Lung transplant recipients face risks including rejection, infection, and side effects from immunosuppressive drugs, but many live for years with proper care. Askren’s doctors have reportedly assured him he can lead a lengthy, healthy life. (YouTube (video interview))
How much weight did Ben Askren lose after his transplant?
He lost 50 pounds in 45 days after the double lung transplant. (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
What is Ben Askren doing now after the transplant?
He returned to wrestling in a RAF event and won by submission. He has indicated the appearance was a one-and-done, and his focus is on health and family. (ESPN (sports media))
Did Ben Askren’s lung failure relate to his MMA career?
No confirmed link. The cause was severe pneumonia, not related to fighting. (CNN (national news outlet))
How did Ben Askren return to wrestling so quickly?
Less than a year after the transplant, Askren resumed training and competed in RAF 11, winning by submission. His quick return is considered remarkable and was described as a “second act” by himself. (MMA Junkie (MMA news))
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Wire Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.