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

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

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,

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.

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.

The multi-time MMA champion said he lost 50 pounds in a 45-day period as he fought for his life in a Wisconsin hospital.