According to his wife, former MMA and amateur wrestling champion Ben Askren is being evaluated for the potential lung transplant.
Askren, 40, remains hospitalized in his Wisconsin hometown due to severe pneumonia. According to his wife, Amy, he is on a ventilator and an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), but he was able to open his eyes and squeeze his hands.
“I haven't shared updates because Ben has been a limbo for a while. I was hoping he would wake up and be someone who decides what to share,” Amy wrote on Facebook.
“I still pray for miracles with his current lungs, but they are now beginning the evaluation process for lung transplantation. Pray for his continued healing. Pray for his transplantation quickly and easily.
Askren fought his entire professional career from Heartland, Wisconsin, and he runs a wrestling academy from the area. He retired from MMA in 2019, was a two-time NCAA Division I champion in wrestling and was also a member of the 2008 US Olympic team. He and Amy have three children together.
“Thank you for all the message and all the support,” Amy wrote. “In spite of this terrible situation, I feel very blessed with the community we are surrounded by. Hold your loved one today to make sure you are prepared for this situation.
