Askren is on the road to recovery after undergoing a double lung transplant and losing more than 50 lbs. during his illness

Former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren says his heart stopped four times, leading to him receiving a double lung transplant.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a severe case of pneumonia, said in a post on social media Wednesday that he had undergone a double lung transplant and is in recovery.

Similarly to all of Ben Askren’s supporters, Dana White was stunned after hearing the former UFC fighter talk about his current status and what he has been through in the past few weeks.

Former NCAA wrestling champion Ben Askren has shared a shocking health update after being hospitalized for the past month. On June 7, Ben’s wife announced on Facebook that the 40-year-old athlete had been hospitalized in Wisconsin due to a severe case of pneumonia,

Former U.S. Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren shared an emotional update for the first time since undergoing lung transplant surgery.

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren is recovering from a double lung transplant after weeks awaiting a donor, his wife said on Monday.

Ben Askren feels like he's attended his own funeral – but he hasn't. He's still alive. And not only that, he's now talking. In an emotional video posted to his social media account Wednesday, Askren provided a health update himself for the first time since he was hospitalized with a severe case of pneumonia that ultimately led to a lung transplant.

Askren transitioned to MMA after an amateur wrestling career that saw him represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He quickly found success in the cage after winning the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament before capturing the welterweight title in 2010.'

In his first update since his life-saving surgery, Askren said he had no memories from May 28 through July 2 but is starting to recover.

Former UFC fighter and ex-Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren knows he is lucky just to be alive. Askren is currently recovering following a double lung transplant. Askren suffered severe pneumonia that became a staph infection. He was placed on life support but provided his first public comments recently.