Former UFC Fighter Ben Askren Makes Remarkable Return After Four Near-Deaths and Double Lung Transplant

About a year ago, former UFC and ONE Championship fighter Ben Askren shocked the MMA world when he was hospitalized with what began as a simple pneumonia that rapidly worsened into a life-threatening condition. After spending a month and a half in a coma, sedated and on a ventilator, Askren underwent a double lung transplant. He described his ordeal emotionally, saying, "I died four times but was revived each time. I reached a weight I hadn't seen since I was 15. It felt like I was attending my own funeral."

Now, just over 365 days since his near-death experience and complex surgery, Askren is making an extraordinary comeback. This weekend, he is set to face American-Palestinian UFC fighter Belal Muhammad in a wrestling match organized by RAF. Reflecting on his recovery, Askren expressed amazement at his progress, acknowledging ongoing limitations and medications but emphasizing that he feels more like himself every day.

He shared, "A year later, I continue to improve and get stronger. Every week I break a personal record and get better. Compared to before the injury, I still have goals to reach, but life is amazing. Everyone faces hardships; God never intended life to be easy. A person without struggles is someone who lacks fulfillment and satisfaction." His return to competition marks a significant milestone in his recovery and inspires many in the MMA community who followed his journey.