Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has revealed the terrifying ordeal he endured before receiving a double lung transplant. The 40-year-old MMA veteran, who retired in 2019, was hospitalized in June after a bacterial infection led to pneumonia. Askren recounted that he "died four times" during this period, with his heart stopping for about 20 seconds each time.

The Struggle and Recovery Askren, who was admitted to a hospital in Wisconsin, was placed on a ventilator and listed for a lung transplant. He shared via an Instagram video from his hospital bed that he lost 50 pounds (22.7 kg) in just 45 days. "I actually just read through my wife's journal because I don't remember anything from May 28th to July 2nd. No recollection. No idea what happened," Askren said. "I just read through the journal and it's like a movie. So, I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds."

Support from the Community Askren expressed his gratitude to his fans and the wrestling community for their overwhelming support. "The thing that was most impactful to me was all the love I felt from everybody," he said. "It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. Right?" His wife, Amy, also shared on Facebook that her husband was "completely healthy just five weeks ago" before falling ill.

Looking Ahead Despite the challenges, Askren remains optimistic and motivated to regain his health. "I'm gaining quite a bit of strength, learning to use everything again," he said. Influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who defeated Askren in a boxing match in 2021, recently made a public plea for donations to aid in Askren's recovery.

Askren's legacy in MMA is significant, having been a welterweight champion in Bellator and One Championship. He retired with 19 wins in 22 fights, making him one of the best American wrestlers of his generation.