Ben Askren, the former MMA champion and Olympic wrestler, has been rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The fighter developed severe pneumonia suddenly on June 7, 2025, and doctors worry it might be complicated by a staph infection.
Amy Askren, Ben's wife, shared the news on social media. She said Ben is unresponsive and asked for prayers, especially for their three children.
Askren, born on July 18, 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, had a stellar wrestling career before moving to MMA. He won two NCAA Division I national championships and represented the USA in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In MMA, Askren became a champion in both Bellator and ONE Championship. He was known for his amazing grappling skills and a fighting style that wasn't like anyone else's. After retiring from professional MMA in 2019, he came back for one boxing match against Jake Paul in 2021. Askren lost that fight by TKO in the first round.
Just last month, Askren signed with Real American Freestyle, a wrestling company started by Hulk Hogan. This move showed he was still active in combat sports even after his MMA retirement.
Pat Mineo, who works with Wrestling Room, also confirmed Askren's condition. The news has sent shockwaves through the MMA and wrestling world, with many athletes and fans showing their support.
"We're asking for prayers and calm, especially for our children's well-being during this difficult time," Amy Askren said in her social media post.
The sporting community has rallied around Askren and his family. Many fighters and wrestlers have shared messages of support and started a solidarity movement for the former champion.
Askren's sudden illness comes as a shock to many who knew him as a tough competitor. His journey from college wrestling star to Olympic athlete, then to MMA champion, and now to this critical health situation, has touched many in the combat sports world.
As Askren fights this new battle, the MMA and wrestling communities wait anxiously for updates on his condition. His family has asked for privacy during this challenging time, but the outpouring of support shows how much Askren means to the sport and its fans.
