NATIONWIDE – Retired mixed martial arts champion and decorated wrestler Ben Askren is facing a significant personal health battle, revealing in July 2025 that he is in need of a lung transplant.

• The Diagnosis – At age 41, former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion Ben Askren has made public his need for a lung transplant, a condition stated to be unrelated to his career in combat sports.
• An Athlete’s Identity – The situation forces a world-class athlete, whose career was built on peak physical condition, to navigate extreme medical vulnerability, challenging the foundations of his public and personal identity.
• A History of Health Challenges – This is not Askren’s first major medical procedure post-retirement; he previously underwent and publicly documented a significant hip replacement surgery.

Known for his elite wrestling and “Funky” style, Askren’s career was a testament to physical control and dominance. Now, he confronts a challenge where the battle is entirely internal, raising universal questions about strength, identity, and resilience.

A Champion’s Unexpected Announcement

Decorated Career

Before his time in the UFC, Askren held an undefeated record and championship titles in two other major MMA promotions, Bellator and ONE Championship.

The news of Ben Askren’s need for a lung transplant sent a ripple of concern through the MMA community and beyond. At 41, an age where many athletes are enjoying the fruits of their careers, Askren confronts a life-or-death health scenario. This diagnosis is particularly jarring for a figure who, despite a late-career loss in a high-profile boxing match, built a legacy on being an indomitable physical force. The health issue is reportedly not a result of injuries sustained during his fighting career, a fact that underscores the unpredictable nature of human health, regardless of past physical prowess. This development follows a previous major surgery, a hip replacement, which Askren was very open about, documenting his recovery and return to an active lifestyle.

What Happens When an Athlete’s Body Is No Longer an Asset?

Post-Fighting Spotlight

After retiring from MMA, Askren remained in the public eye, most notably participating in a highly publicized 2021 boxing match against social media personality Jake Paul.

For any professional athlete, but especially for a combat sports figure like Askren, their body is their primary tool, the source of their livelihood, and the foundation of their identity. His career was defined by an ability to physically dominate opponents through unparalleled wrestling skill. The transition from a state of peak conditioning to one of profound medical dependency presents immense psychological hurdles. How does a person whose entire life has been a testament to physical strength recalibrate their sense of self in the face of such vulnerability? This journey forces a confrontation with a new reality, one where strength is not measured in takedowns or victories, but in endurance, patience, and mental fortitude.

The Internal Fight: Resilience Beyond the Octagon

While Askren faced numerous opponents in the cage, his current situation represents an entirely different kind of fight. It is a battle fought not in front of crowds but in quiet moments of uncertainty and hope. This personal struggle highlights universal themes that extend far beyond the world of sports. It’s a story about human resilience, the redefinition of personal strength, and the courage required to face a future that is suddenly and dramatically altered. The focus shifts from the public persona of “Funky” Ben Askren, the fighter, to Ben Askren, the man, navigating a path that demands a different, and perhaps greater, form of courage than any he needed in his professional career.