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Former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC fighter Ben Askren has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia, his wife Amy confirmed in a deeply emotional Facebook post on Saturday, June 7. The 40-year-old is reportedly unable to respond to anything at this time, sparking widespread concern from fans and the MMA community alike.
A Sudden Turn for the Worse
Askren’s condition escalated rapidly, according to Amy’s statement. “You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,” she 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.”
She also requested privacy and sensitivity, especially regarding their children: “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.”
From Wrestling Royalty to MMA Star
Born on July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ben Askren carved out a legendary path in collegiate wrestling. A two-time NCAA Division I national champion and four-time finalist at the University of Missouri, he made the transition to MMA in 2009, quickly making waves with his undefeated streak in Bellator and ONE Championship.
Askren made his much-anticipated UFC debut in 2019. Though his UFC run was brief, it included a controversial win over Robbie Lawler and a historic five-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal — the fastest in UFC history.
In 2021, he briefly stepped back into the spotlight to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a high-profile boxing match, which he lost via first-round TKO.
A New Chapter Cut Short?
Just days before his hospitalization, Askren had signed a deal with a new wrestling promotion, Real American Freestyle, expressing excitement at returning to his roots. In a social media post, Askren wrote:
“I just finished signing my Real American Freestyle contract. I’ve been waiting to wrestle. I kind of miss competition. I love fighting but I don’t have time for that anymore … I’m going to whip some of these young whippersnappers, show them what the f— it’s all about.”
Fans were excited to see Askren return to action in a different arena, bringing his experience and charisma back to wrestling. That chapter now remains uncertain.
A Mentor and Family Man
Outside the cage, Askren has remained active in the sport through his Askren Wrestling Academy, where he trains young athletes. He’s also a regular voice in MMA analysis and commentary and has built a solid reputation as a mentor and analyst.
He lives with his wife Amy and their three children, and has often been open about balancing family life with his commitments to sports and media.
Outpouring of Support
Since the announcement, a wave of well-wishes and prayers has flooded social media. Fighters, fans, and fellow coaches have expressed their support, hoping for a swift and full recovery.
🕯️ We at Buzzmotto extend our thoughts and prayers to Ben Askren, Amy, and their family during this difficult time.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
