Ben Askren Hospital Scare

In a shocking twist for the MMA world, retired UFC star and wrestling legend Ben Askren has been hospitalized with a sudden and severe case of pneumonia. According to his wife, Amy Askren, the 40-year-old is currently unresponsive and in critical condition.

“He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time,” Amy shared in a heartbreaking Facebook post on June 7.

The news sent shockwaves across the combat sports community. Known for his outspoken personality and unorthodox fighting style, Askren is a household name in MMA circles. His current health scare has sparked a wave of concern online, with fans, fellow fighters, and colleagues flooding social media with messages of support.

Amy also asked for privacy as the family focuses on Ben’s recovery and tries to shield their three kids from the overwhelming attention.

According to CBS News, the pneumonia followed an earlier staph infection, making his condition even more serious. Former UFC star Chael Sonnen confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that Ben is alive, but the family is intentionally keeping details under wraps.

Despite stepping away from the octagon in 2019, Askren has remained in the spotlight. Just last month, he signed with the newly launched Real American Freestyle, a pro wrestling league backed by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Known for never shying away from a fight, Askren had just reignited his competitive spark.

Ben’s résumé reads like a combat sports checklist: a 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestler, an undefeated MMA run for over a decade, and championships in Bellator and ONE Championship. Even after his 2021 boxing loss to Jake Paul, Askren stayed relevant through podcasting, coaching, and building a second act in wrestling.

For now, fans can only hope that the man who’s battled some of the toughest fighters in the world can win this fight too — the one that matters most.