Ben Askren breaks silence after double lung transplant: 'The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds'

UFC star Ben Askren recently dealt with a severe case of pneumonia, and there were concerns that he wouldn't survive after being rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, he pulled through, and on Wednesday, he finally spoke about his harrowing health scare.

The 40-year-old fighter initially developed a staph infection before battling pneumonia. This led to Askren needing a double lung transplant.

While it doesn't sound like he has any intentions of getting back into fighting shape and trying to get back into the Octagon, it was good to hear that he is on the road to recovery. There could be a path for him to eventually get into coaching, seeing as he began his career as an Olympic-level amateur wrestler and then transitioned into mixed martial arts fighting. 

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Here is the update that Askren gave about his double lung transplant. 

Ben Askren health update

Asken posted the update from a hospital bed. He is almost unrecognizable, as he has lost 50 pounds over the past 45 days. Askren said that he hadn't been this light in the past 15 years, weighing in at just 147 pounds. 

🥺❤️ Ben Askren speaks out for the first time.

He saw all of the support 🎥 @Benaskrenpic.twitter.com/gwv1Z2WPf1

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 9, 2025

Here is what Askren says in the video. 

"I haven't given you an update in a while. I figure you deserve one. Whenever this is all the way over — I actually just read through my wife's journal because I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2. No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened. We'll kind of go through it all. I just read through my wife's journal. It's like a movie. It's ridiculous. So, I only died four times where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. That's not ideal.

"But I got the double lung transplant and made it to the other side of it. Gaining quite a bit of strength. Learning to use everything again, I was actually on a scale yesterday and 147 pounds. I haven't been 147 pounds since 15 years old. So, I lost like 50 pounds in a 45-day period. Man, that was a battle. Other than that, I don't remember most of it."

Obviously, there are aspects of his statement that stand out. He is missing over a month from his recent memory. Askren also almost casually tells us that during his ordeal that his heart had stopped four different times for about 20 seconds. Askren technically died four times but was brought back, and the procedure seems like it was a success on the other end. 

For now, though, Askren is happy being able to thank people for their support during his health scare. He jokingly said that it was like he got to go to his own funeral. 

"The thing that was most impeccable to me was all the love I felt from everybody. It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. ... The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good. So, I'm more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out the best I can. I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. This has been tough, not only on me, but on my whole family and close community. I appreciate everything. Hope you guys appreciate the update. Like I said, somewhere down the road, maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more."