How A Staph Infection Nearly Ended Ben Askren’s Life - In His Own Words

How A Staph Infection Nearly Ended Ben Askren’s Life - In His Own Words

Former Olympic wrestler and mixed martial artist Ben Askren has shared a detailed account of the chain of events that led to his near-fatal hospitalization and subsequent double lung transplant. Askren, who competed as a two-time national wrestling champion and represented the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before embarking on a 19-fight MMA career, initially dismissed his symptoms as a routine back spasm. In late May, Askren rolled…

Ben Askren details health scare, talks donations from former rivals

Ben Askren has a lot to be thankful for. The former world champion mixed martial artist and US Olympic wrestler received a double lung transplant several weeks ago after he developed necrotising pneumonia following hospitalisation for a staph infection — something that he had initially thought to be a back injury. Throughout the ordeal, during which Askren was close to death on several occasions and through which he lost more than 50-pounds, the…

Ben Askren Thanks Jake Paul, Dana White, and Fans for Life-Saving Donations After Near-Death Infection

Former UFC welterweight and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren revealed the terrifying details of his near-fatal health scare in an exclusive interview with Ariel Helwani. Askren’s ordeal began in late May when he experienced what initially seemed like a minor back spasm after training with Raphael Lovato Jr. “I actually rolled with Raphael Lovato on Friday,” ...