2025 has been a year of survival and resilience for Ben Askren. The former UFC welterweight and wrestling champion has faced one of the toughest battles of his life after a sudden and severe health scare that left him fighting for his life.
Askren, 41, spent 45 days in a coma after developing necrotising pneumonia, a rare and life-threatening condition that severely damaged his lungs. What followed was a long, uncertain road to recovery that required a double lung transplant, a procedure that few athletes ever come back from.
Despite the ordeal, Ben Askren continues to inspire fans around the world. He’s back home in Wisconsin, gradually regaining his strength and putting back on the weight he lost during his hospital stay. At one point, Askren dropped to about 145 pounds, nearly 60 pounds less than his fighting weight during his UFC career.
Even in recovery, Askren hasn’t lost his passion for wrestling. The former Olympian continues to coach in Wisconsin and keeps fans updated on his journey, reminding everyone that the fighter in him is still alive.
While many believed his days of competition were over, one medical expert says there’s still a chance Askren could return to the mat.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Dr. Brian Sutterer, a respected sports medicine physician, discussed the possibility of Askren making a comeback in wrestling.
“I don’t think it’s crazy at all,” Dr. Sutterer said. “The sports medicine doctor in me thinks that’s an exciting thought, something that would be really good for him to have that motivation and inspiration.”
Dr. Sutterer explained that while MMA and boxing are likely off the table due to the physical strain they place on the lungs and cardiovascular system, wrestling could still be an option under the right conditions.
“If his lung and cardiac function recover well, and there’s no major muscle or nerve damage from the illness, then it’s just a matter of time,” Sutterer added. “Once those tests check out, there’s nothing stopping him from working his way back to being an athlete, in whatever way he chooses.”
The biggest concern, according to Sutterer, is how Askren’s body responds to long-term recovery, particularly whether the illness caused any lasting nerve or muscle damage. But if those challenges are cleared, a return to the sport he loves might not be as far-fetched as many think.
For now, Askren’s focus remains on regaining full health and strength, one day at a time. Still, the idea of seeing Ben Askren back on the wrestling mat, even for an exhibition, is the kind of comeback story that embodies what made him a fan favorite in the first place: grit, determination, and an unbreakable will to compete.
