Former Bellator champion and retired UFC veteran Ben Askren has proven once again that resilience isn’t just about fighting in the cage, it’s about fighting for life itself.
After undergoing a double lung transplant in June, Askren’s comeback has been nothing short of incredible. The former Olympic wrestler spent weeks in the hospital battling severe respiratory complications, and doctors weren’t sure if he’d ever make a full recovery. However, in true Ben Askren fashion, he refused to quit.
On Thursday, Askren shared an emotional video showing him lacing up his shoes and stepping back onto the mats, something that seemed impossible just months ago.
“Four months ago I was on my deathbed.
Three months ago I couldn’t stand unassisted.
Two months ago I was still using a walker.”
Now, he’s training again, slowly, but with the same determination that defined his career. Askren revealed that his recovery process involved intense physical therapy, breathing exercises, and months of gradual conditioning to rebuild his lung strength. The 39-year-old said that regaining control of his breathing was the most challenging part, but once his lungs started functioning better, his mobility improved.
For fans who have followed Ben Askren from his dominant wrestling days to his MMA career in Bellator and the UFC, this moment is more than just inspiring, it’s a testament to his unshakable willpower.
Askren’s recovery journey isn’t over, but seeing him back on the mats so soon after a double lung transplant is nothing short of extraordinary. He’s not fighting opponents anymore, he’s fighting odds, and once again, he’s winning.
