The American was rushed to hospital earlier this month after suffering from pneumonia – but a major update on his current condition has been revealed
Former UFC star Ben Askren is showing some responsiveness and is can ‘open his eyes and ‘squeeze hands’, according to reports.
Earlier this month, the American was rushed to hospital coming down with a severe case of pneumonia, which was brought on by a staph infection. Rumours of his death began to circulate online last week – which forced Askren’s wife Amy to clear up the claims, stating that he is ‘alive’ but is still ‘fighting.’
According to a report from wrestling journalist Pat Mineo on Monday evening, Askren is still expected to need a lung transplant, but his levels are improving. In a post uploaded to X – formerly known as Twitter – he posted: “Update: All the prayers and medical support Ben Askren has been receiving is working!
“He was able to open his eyes and squeeze hands, showing some responsiveness. He is still expected to need a lung transplant, but some of his levels are improving and he is fighting like a Champ! Keep praying for Ben Askren.”
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Last week, Askren’s good friend Daniel Cormier revealed that the American was moved to a different hospital. The former two-division UFC champion said of his podcast host: “Ben Askren, our good friend from ‘Funky and the Champ’, is having a hard time. That night that we did the last episode of ‘Funky and the Champ’, Ben was complaining about some issues. He had some infections. He had a really tough time when he went to that convention in Vegas, he was stuck there for a while.
“I want to report to you guys that he’s now back home in Wisconsin. He’s with his family, his beautiful wife, Amy. Everybody is just kind of praying that Ben gets better and we can start moving forward with life for Ben. It’s so sad. I don’t know how things like this happen to someone who is so good because Ben Askren is a good guy.
“Pray for Amy, guys. Pray for the kids. Ben, we love you, buddy. We are constantly thinking about him every single day. I cannot wait for the next ‘Funky and the Champ’ because we’ll talk about that so much more.” Cormier’s update came just hours after Askren’s wife Amy was forced to deny social media rumours that her husband had passed away. She told TMZ her other half is “definitely still fighting”.
During the peak of his powers, the American was considered one of the top welterweights in the sport after he won titles in both Bellator and ONE Championship. He eventually joined the UFC in 2019 and submitted former champion Robbie Lawler on his promotional debut.
However, he would then go on to lose back-to-back fights against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Just a few weeks after the Maia fight, Askren announced his retirement from MMA, but it was not long before he eventually returned to combat sports after agreeing to fight Jake Paul in the boxing ring. The 40-year old would go on to suffer a knockout defeat in the first round in what was his only fight inside the squared-circle.