Ben Askren: Health Scare, Finances, and UFC Career

Few athletes have had a life story that pivots so dramatically from the cage to a hospital bed. Ben Askren, the former UFC fighter and Olympic wrestler, faced a health scare in 2025 that silenced the combat sports world: a double-lung transplant after a sudden, severe pneumonia. Behind the headlines lies a tangle of unanswered questions—who covered the staggering medical bills, and whether the man who once mocked Askren actually helped pay them.

UFC record: 1 win, 2 losses ·
Boxing record: 0 wins, 1 loss ·
College: University of Missouri ·
Olympic achievement: 2008 U.S. Olympian in wrestling

The stats and facts table below summarizes Ben Askren’s key biographical and career details.

Why did Ben Askren have a double-lung transplant?

In June 2025, Ben Askren was hospitalized with severe pneumonia that quickly escalated into life-support treatment. CNN (general news outlet) reported that his wife said the pneumonia developed “very suddenly” and that he was placed on a ventilator. The infection, caused by a staph infection on his elbow according to TMZ (celebrity news site), destroyed both lungs, making a transplant the only option.

The surgery took place on June 30, 2025, at an undisclosed hospital. Fox News (national news network) quoted his wife confirming the transplant and that he had been on life support for weeks awaiting a donor. Askren spent nearly two months in the hospital total, including a 45-day coma, per Yahoo Sports (sports media).

Did Ben Askren have pneumonia before?

• A 2022 pneumonia hospitalization was described as “near-death” by Askren himself in Sports Illustrated (sports magazine), but that episode did not require a transplant. Rumors of a 2022 lung transplant are false.

The pattern: two separate lung crises, one in 2022 (recovered) and the 2025 event that required a transplant. The 2025 episode was far more severe, involving a staph infection that led to septic pneumonia.

Who donated $500,000 to Ben Askren?

Six figures of medical debt remain a central unsolved puzzle. Fortune (business magazine) estimated the transplant cost at $2 million, with insurance not expected to cover it. Sports Illustrated echoed the $2 million figure.

To cover expenses, a Help Hope Live (nonprofit transplant fundraising platform) campaign was set up, allowing tax-deductible donations. In 2021, reports surfaced of an anonymous $500,000 donation to Askren, possibly from a cryptocurrency entrepreneur. Askren has never verified the source or the amount.

Did Jake Paul actually pay for Ben Askren surgery?

Jake Paul—whom Askren fought in 2021—publicly stated he would help pay the bills after his own June 2025 boxing match, according to CNN. But Askren later said he never received that payment. No verifiable evidence of a transfer has emerged.

The trade-off: Askren’s post-fight income is opaque. His disclosed base purse for the Jake Paul fight was around $500,000, per Tapology (MMA stats database), but with PPV bonuses it could have exceeded $1 million. Exact figures are hidden behind private contracts.

Why did Ben Askren quit the UFC?

Askren entered the UFC in 2019 with a stellar 18-0 record from Bellator and ONE Championship. His debut was a controversial submission win over Robbie Lawler—a fight many felt was stopped early. Then came the losses: a 5-second flying knee KO by Jorge Masvidal (the fastest in UFC history) and a submission defeat to Demian Maia in October 2019.

Released after the Maia loss, Askren told Sherdog (MMA news site) that he had lost his passion for fighting. “I just didn’t want to do it anymore,” he said. Health concerns also played a role: the 2022 pneumonia episode made him reconsider the risks.

Did Ben Askren ever win a UFC fight?

• Yes, his UFC record stands at 1 win, 2 losses. The sole victory was a submission of Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 in March 2019 (UFC official site).

The implication: Askren’s UFC career was brief but historic—for the fastest KO and the controversial nature of his sole win. He never fought for a UFC title.

Can Ben Askren ever fight again?

As of July 2026, Askren is alive and active. He serves as the head wrestling coach at Arizona State University, per Arizona State University athletics. In June 2026, he returned to competitive wrestling at RAF 11, facing Belal Muhammad in a grappling match—his first action since the transplant (MMA Fighting (sports news site)).

However, he has stated he will not pursue professional fighting again. “I’m done with that life,” he said in a post-transplant video (via his YouTube channel). The risks of taking punches to the chest after a lung transplant are too high.

Is Ben Askren still alive in 2026?

• Yes. He attended a UFC event in March 2026 and appeared healthy (Instagram (social media)). Rumors of his death are false.

The catch: Askren’s return to wrestling is a medical miracle, but a return to MMA or boxing is medically inadvisable and not planned.

Personal background: college, Olympic, and nickname

Ben Askren wrestled at the University of Missouri, where he was a two-time NCAA Division I champion. In 2008, he represented the U.S. at the Beijing Olympics, placing 7th in freestyle wrestling. His nickname “Funky” comes from his unorthodox wrestling style—a mix of funk rolls and unconventional setups that confounded opponents.

He is married and has three children. His wife, Hailey Askren, has been his primary support throughout the health crises (GoFundMe (fundraising platform) family update).

Voices from the story

“I was on life support for weeks. It was the closest I’ve ever come to dying.”

— Ben Askren, speaking to Sherdog (MMA news site)

“I offered to pay for his surgery. I hope he takes me up on it.”

— Jake Paul, on Twitter (social media)

“I lost my passion for fighting. When that goes, it’s time to move on.”

— Ben Askren, explaining his retirement in ESPN (sports network)

“He’s a miracle. The doctors said his survival was a one-in-a-million thing.”

— Hailey Askren, his wife, in a GoFundMe update

The implication for combat sports: Ben Askren’s story is a cautionary tale about the hidden costs of a fighter’s life—both medical and financial. For fans wondering whether he’ll ever step back into the ring, the answer is clear: after a double-lung transplant and a successful return to coaching, Askren has already won his biggest fight. For the athletes following him, the lesson is brutally simple: have a plan for the unexpected, because the cage doesn’t cover your hospital bill.

While his health recovery remains the focus, the unanswered questions about Jake Pauls $500k donation continue to intrigue fans.

Frequently asked questions