UFC fighter Ben Askren continues to battle the severe case of pneumonia that caused him to be hospitalized over the weekend.
Ben’s wife, Amy Askren, told TMZ Sports on Thursday, June 12, that her husband is “definitely still fighting” for his life.
Amy shut down any chatter to the contrary, adding, “He is alive and any rumor he has died is completely false.”
News of Ben’s health issue was revealed by Amy via Facebook on Saturday, June 7.
“You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,” Amy wrote. “He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.”
Ben and Amy share three children: daughters Alex, 12, and Andi, 9, and son Ozi, 7.
Amy offered an update on Monday, June 9, urging her friends and followers to “keep praying for Ben.”
“Feeling so incredibly thankful for our friends and community — it’s times like this that remind you how truly blessed you are,” she shared via Facebook. “I feel God moving through the love and support we have received. I’m sorry if I haven’t had the chance to respond to you, but know I’ve seen your messages, and each one has meant so much to me.”
Ben had a celebrated collegiate wrestling career at the University of Missouri, winning two NCAA Division 1 national championships. He later represented Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, falling in the quarterfinals.
Post-Olympics, Ben transitioned into a career in mixed martial arts.
Following success in Bellator and ONE Championship, Ben signed with the UFC in November 2018. Askren fought only three times in UFC, compiling a 1-2 record before announcing his retirement from MMA in November 2019.
In April 2021, Ben faced social media superstar Jake Paul in a boxing match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Askren lost by TKO in the 1st round.
Since news of his hospitalization, members of the wrestling and MMA worlds have expressed their condolences.
“It’s taken a minute to say anything because In my head you’re already healed and back home with Amy and the kids playing disc golf in the backyard or trying to cut down a tree with a chainsaw in your flip flops,” UFC fighter Maycee Barber shared via Instagram on Wednesday, June 11. “God is so good and I know that he has his arms wrapped around you and the family right now. Thinking and praying harder than ever for you right now. I know God has a plan through all of this. See you soon!! 🙏🏼❤️🩹”
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani sent his “positive thoughts” to Ben via X on Saturday. “Hang in there @Benaskren. You got this.”
Former Team USA gold medal-winning gymnast Dominique Moceanu commented on Helwani’s post, writing, “Sending prayers for Ben, his family, and the incredible medical team caring for him.”
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