MMA’s Ben Askren Says He Died 4 Times Amid Severe Pneumonia Battle

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Ben Askren is overcoming the biggest fight of his life. 

Around a month since Amy Askren disclosed that her husband had been hospitalized due to a severe bout of pneumonia, the MMA fighter shared some personal updates himself.

In a heartfelt Instagram video from my hospital bed on the 9th of July, I shared that I can’t recall a thing from May 28 to July 2 – it’s as if those weeks simply vanished without a trace. I’m utterly baffled about what occurred during those missing days. To get some insight, I delved into my wife’s journal, and let me tell you, it’s like watching an unbelievable movie. Incredulous, indeed!

In a more comprehensive view, the host of Funky & The Champ remarked, “I’ve technically died just four times. My heart momentarily ceased functioning for approximately twenty seconds.

The typically beardless MMA athlete emerged sporting a beard and coughing as he discussed the lifesaving operation he experienced, detailing how his health struggle has influenced his present weight division.

He had a double lung transplant and managed to recover. He’s regaining strength and learning anew. In fact, he weighed 147 pounds on the scale yesterday, a weight he hasn’t seen since he was fifteen years old. So, in just 45 days, he lost approximately 50 pounds.

During his hospitalization, the Olympic wrestler may not recall many specific incidents, but he articulated the significance of having his community offer their support during that time.

What touched me the most was the abundance of love I received from everyone,” Ben elaborated. “It seemed as though I was saying farewell, given the overwhelming show of affection. The love expressed by the wrestling community was astounding; it truly warmed my heart.

Still, with a long road to recovery ahead of him, he remains optimistic.

Ben expressed his readiness to return and give his all, as well as lend a hand. He conveyed his affection for everyone involved. He acknowledged that these times have been challenging not just for him, but also for his family and close-knit community. He expressed gratitude for the support. In the future, he mentioned, Amy and he might share more details about their experience.

Before making the statement, Amy, who has been married to Ben since 2010, assured TMZ Sports that her husband was indeed continuing to fight following his hospitalization on June 7.

In an effort to quell any lingering doubts, I want to assure everyone that he is indeed very much alive. Any whispers suggesting his demise are utterly unfounded.

For more stars who have shared insight into their health journeys, keep reading…

In an announcement made in April 2025, the former star of “Beverly Hills, 90210” shared that he was on the road to recovery following a surgery, as his appendix had come close to rupturing.

A week ago, Brian shared on Instagram that he began experiencing discomfort in his abdomen. This led him to visit the emergency room where it was discovered that his appendix was about to rupture, but not quite yet.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

Adam Devine mentioned that the injuries he suffered when a cement truck struck him at age eleven continue to impact him now.

In a 2025 episode of the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast, Devine stated, “It’s been an incredibly difficult time for me. I’ve been experiencing spasms throughout my body. At one point, my doctors told me that I was close to death—literally, within the past year.

He pointed out that pain is intermittent, expressing, “My body sometimes functions imperfectly and not quite as it should.

The former star of Bachelor Nation disclosed that he had to go to the hospital, crawling on his hands and knees, because of excruciating back pain which worsened during a camping trip with a friend in an RV.

In the March 2025 episode of his Trading Secrets podcast, he expressed that his legs from knees to toes were still feeling numb, which was surprising to him. To clarify, just a few weeks prior, or perhaps a month ago, he was squatting approximately 295 pounds. Now, he can’t even do a single-leg squat; he loses balance and it feels as if he had a stroke or some similar issue.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

During a game in December 2024, an AHL player got injured when another player’s skate accidentally sliced him open. He required 25 stitches to heal the wound. After his son had fully recovered, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald expressed gratitude to fate, stating, “We were incredibly fortunate. I wouldn’t wish such an incident on any parent.

In March 2025, Gina Kirschenheiter from The Real Housewives of Orange County revealed that her former spouse, Matt Kirschenheiter, had experienced a heart attack. Fortunately, he made it through the traumatic event.

30 Rock’s leading actor experienced a health emergency during a New York Knicks game in March 2025, causing him to be carried from Madison Square Garden.

On the next day, the comedian posted an update on social media, explaining it was due to food poisoning and he was recovering well.

In February 2025, an actress from the show “Even Stevens” revealed that she had been accidentally shot in the face during a trip to fire clay pigeons as part of her husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday celebration.

Another person at our gathering discharged a weapon recklessly, causing it to strike me in the face. Brendan Rooney swiftly intervened, evaluated my injuries, and transported me urgently to the hospital. I was wounded in five spots, with one bullet grazing me less than an inch away from my right eye.

As a devoted fan, I shared that unfortunately, a tiny piece became stuck near my eye, making it precarious to extract surgically right now. The medical professionals are keeping a close watch on me, and fortunately, my vision is clear at the moment.

The actress expressed her heartfelt gratitude for being alive. She shared, “My love for my daughters, husband, family, and friends runs deep.” She continued, “I glimpsed my life’s memories in a moment, and I urge you all to cherish the people close to you. Life, as we know it, can shift dramatically in the blink of an eye.

Although the internet can sometimes be unkind, Amy Schumer is grateful that it provided her with answers in this instance. After a series of interviews, she found herself under scrutiny due to a change in her appearance. She humorously remarked, “The internet really came for me,” and jokingly asked everyone to relax. However, medical professionals began commenting and suggested that she might be suffering from Cushing syndrome, possibly caused by elevated cortisol levels or steroid injections.

Confused, Amy recalled receiving steroid injections for her scars after undergoing a breast reduction and a C-section. She realized this could have caused the Cushing syndrome, a condition she would not have known about without the intense online scrutiny. Today, Amy is relieved to know that she’s healthy, as the type of Cushing she has will resolve itself naturally.

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced a truly terrifying incident while having breakfast with husband Justin Bieber. As she recounted on YouTube a month later, she began to display symptoms similar to a stroke, including facial drooping and the inability to speak clearly. Despite these alarming signs, her speech eventually returned, and the drooping stopped. However, Hailey chose to visit the hospital for a check-up.

The doctors ran some tests and found that Hailey had experienced a small brain clot, which they classified as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). After further examination at the University of California, Los Angeles, it was discovered that she had a hole in her heart known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The blood clot had traveled into her heart, escaped through the PFO, and made its way to her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey successfully underwent a procedure to close the hole in her heart and is now feeling well again.

In the same year as Hailey’s health crisis, Justin also encountered his own health issue. Specifically, in June 2022, Justin Bieber revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that led to temporary facial paralysis and caused him to cancel the rest of his Justice World Tour. In an Instagram video, he explained that the virus attacking the nerve in his ear and facial nerves was responsible for the paralysis on one side of his face. He noted that his eye wouldn’t blink, he couldn’t smile from that side, and his nostril wouldn’t move, indicating full paralysis on that side.

He shared with his followers that it had become increasingly difficult for him to eat due to the condition, but eventually, the paralysis subsided. Hailey commented on a June 2022 episode of Good Morning America, stating that Justin was doing well and feeling much better. She added that although the situation was scary and unexpected, they were relieved that he was going to be okay.

As a dedicated follower, I’d like to share my own words on Jamie Foxx’s hospitalization in April 2023 and his subsequent recovery journey:

In Atlanta, one day I was struck by an intense headache, so I asked my friend for some aspirin. But before I could even take it, I fainted and lost consciousness for about 20 days.

Initially, a doctor gave me a cortisone shot and sent me home, but my sister, Deidra Dixon, sensing something was wrong, took me to another hospital. There, they discovered that I had suffered a brain bleed leading to a stroke.

Twenty days later, on May 4th, I woke up in a wheelchair unable to walk. Afterward, I went to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

Throughout this ordeal, all I can say is that every prayer offered on my behalf was crucial. I needed them all.

In her gym workout, Emilia Clarke experienced severe headaches that led to vomiting and worsening pain. She was later diagnosed with a life-threatening type of stroke called subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an aneurysm. After immediate surgery, she faced complications like aphasia, where she spoke nonsensical words. A week later, she underwent another surgery, this time through her skull, due to the growth’s size increase. Fortunately, Emilia is now completely recovered and in good health.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, expresses her gratitude towards her family after they supported her during a severe stroke in January 2024. Initially, she informed them about the incident through text messages and shared a photo, prompting everyone to rush to her aid. Due to additional health issues, Cori’s hospital stay extended beyond what was initially anticipated. In her interview with TopMob News correspondent Will Marfuggi in December 2024, she explained that although she could have been discharged after the stroke, her lupus wasn’t responding well, and her kidneys were failing, causing a multitude of complications. Today, Cori is recovering well and stated, “I’m doing great. I just had to work on some motor skills, but other than that, I was fine.

During her late teens and early twenties, Shailene Woodley experienced a challenging period regarding her health. It got to the point where she lost some of her hearing, struggled to walk for extended periods, and needed long hours of sleep after even short walks. Everything she ate caused her stomach pain. She was diagnosed with various health issues by different doctors, but it was a confusing mix.

Determined to find answers, Shailene, who has a holistic background and studies herbalism, sought help from both conventional medical professionals and independent healers. This journey lasted for approximately ten years.

During this decade-long ordeal, Shailene also faced numerous mental health challenges. “If everything I ate hurt my stomach, I suddenly became afraid of food,” she explained. This fear led to issues such as body dysmorphia, confusion about her identity, and feelings of insecurity and uncertainty about what it meant to feel safe in her own body.

Thankfully, after addressing both her physical and mental health concerns, Shailene is now feeling much better. She shared, “This journey ultimately resolved my physical issues, and I am very healthy now. I’m so glad to be able to say that.

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2025-07-10 20:17