Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

MMA champ facing lung transplant after sudden illness

Alex Pattle Combat Sports Editor
Jake Paul and Ben Askren weigh in ahead of fight
  • Mixed martial arts veteran Ben Askren has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and may require a lung transplant.
  • His wife, Amy Askren, shared on Facebook that he is currently on a ventilator and ECMO for lung support.
  • She said she is “praying for a miracle with his current lungs”, but an evaluation process for a lung transplant has begun.
  • Askren, 40, was an Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who retired from combat sports in 2021.
  • His wife said he fell ill very suddenly, stating he was previously very healthy.
In full

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in