Ben Askren major health update after false reports fighter had died
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."
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.
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Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Major update reveals Ben Askren's condition in hospital after ex-UFC star was unresponsive and fighting for his life amid false claims he was dead
Ben Askren is now showing signs of responsiveness in hospital but is still in a serious condition and fighting for his life in hospital. The ex-MMA star, 40, was hospitalised after contracting pneumonia as a result of a staph infection and unresponsive last week - though alive - despite claims circulating online that he had died. According to wrestling journalist Pat Mineo on Monday evening, Askren is making progress, but still is likely to need a lung transplant. He said: '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.' The former MMA fighter Ben Askren was hospitalised following a sudden bout of pneumonia Askren shares three children with wife Amy, has two daughters, Alex and Andy, and a son called Ozzi. Chael Sonnen had previously shed light on the specifics of Askren's lung issue, saying: 'One of the things the family really wanted to do was to get Ben, like this was priority number one, they wanted to get Ben from Nevada where he was to Wisconsin. Just geographically speaking, if this is to be the end, they wanted it in Wisconsin. 'So, at this point in the story, we all find out that Ben needs a lung transplant. There was a hole in his lung. For the information that I've been given, he don't have an answer as to how or I guess as to even why there was a hole in his lung. 'But while the family is working on that, they were able to get Ben from Nevada to Wisconsin. 'I was able to speak to the lovely Amy, Ben's wife, one time. She did it make it clear in this one time that we talked that there wasn't going to be a lot of talking, but what was really hoped for was prayers and thoughts.' On Sunday, June 8, wife Amy wrote: 'You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something. 'He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. 'We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. 'We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.' Known for his suffocating grappling skills, Askren made his MMA debut in 2009 after a decorated collegiate wrestling career that saw him become a two-time NCAA division 1 champion. The 2008 Olympian would go on a decade-long undefeated streak inside the cage, winning world titles in Bellator and ONE and was widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the world outside the UFC. Despite a fractious relationship with UFC president Dana White, Askren would go on to make his Octagon debut in 2019 after a trade deal involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. After defeating Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut, Askren would go on to suffer back-to-back losses against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before announcing his retirement from the sport. Despite undergoing major hip surgery after hanging up his gloves, helater returned to competition, losing to Jake Paul via first-round TKO in April 2021. He remains a hugely popular personality in the MMA landscape and will no doubt be heartened by the support being sent his way if he's able to understand what's being said to him in his current condition.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
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Ben Askren major health update after false reports fighter had died
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a day ago
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Nichola revealed unfortunate truths about the nation's favourite morning meals, including that there can be up to 14 teaspoons of sugar in a bowl of processed cereal, and 16 grams of fat in a bacon butty. She also shared ideas for nourishing yet delicious alternatives to jumpstart your day, keep you satisfied through the morning, and increase your energy and focus. Nichola, who partnered with St. Dalfour [ a fruit spread company that claims to use quintessentially French methods and all-natural ingredients, said: 'The biggest mistake I see people making is choosing a carb-heavy breakfast that lacks fibre, protein and plant diversity – for example, white bread with butter or chocolate spreads, and that's it. 'As a dietitian, I recommend switching to sourdough or wholemeal bread, which offers more fibre, protein and has a lower GI - i.e. its energy is released more slowly, adding a nut butter for healthy fats and protein, and opting for a lower-sugar, higher-fruit-content fruit spread or jam. "Adding some fruit in the form of sliced banana or berries would be a bonus too. 'A great hack is to keep a 'diversity jar' of mixed seeds handy - I always suggest this to my patients - to sprinkle on toast, yoghurt, porridge and more." It comes after research revealed breakfast is the least healthy way to start the day for many Brits – with 31 per cent still favouring the full English. Other top morning meals respondents routinely reached for were a classic bowl of cereal, scrambled eggs on toast, a bacon sandwich, and an old faithful, porridge. But a quarter rarely or never think about whether their breakfast is good for them – prioritising ease, speed, and familiarity instead. Drinks to avoid if you want to stay energised, according to nutritionist Kayla Daniels As a result, 32 per cent at least sometimes feel guilty about their breakfast choice. They also found themselves feeling jealous of other nations' early morning offerings, primarily the French, American, and Italian. Nichola added: 'There's no one-size-fits-all 'perfect' breakfast, but generally, poorer choices tend to be those that are high in added sugars and low in fibre, such as many boxed sugar or honey-coated cereals, white toast with sugary chocolate or biscuit spreads, and pastries, or high in saturated fat and low in plant-based nutrients like greasy fry-ups. 'But you don't have to give these up altogether – why not adapt your next full English instead? "Swap fried pork sausages for leaner, grilled protein like chicken or turkey sausages, or even eggs, and add grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and sautéed spinach. 'Use wholegrain toast and cook with minimal added fat – reduced salt or sugar baked beans get a thumbs up from me too. 'Other favourite breakfasts you can adapt include porridge or overnight oats, wheat biscuits, and wholemeal toast – choosing how to top each of these can make all the difference. 'Avoid over-sweetening with sugar or syrups, choose jams or fruit spreads with a higher fruit content, and pair with nut butters or a sprinkling of seeds for healthy fats and plant points. "Adding plain yoghurt, or serving kefir alongside, will help to boost the protein content for satiety too. 'This will help to avoid blood sugar spikes followed by dips – which can leave you feeling tired, irritable, and hungry again quite quickly. 'We should also ideally take the time to chew properly and avoid eating on the go – eating too quickly can impair digestion and may lead to feeling sluggish or overeating, as the body's fullness signals take time to register. 'Where possible, aim to sit down and eat mindfully, even if just for a few minutes – and if in a rush, prepare a simple breakfast box with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to grab on busy mornings.' The research also found 48 per cent of adults eat a healthy breakfast only once every few days, despite 85 per cent claiming this is important to them. But more would reach for a healthier option if it was more convenient (40 per cent) or tasted just as good as what they usually eat (39 per cent). While 53 per cent indulge in processed and ultra-processed foods in the morning at least a few times a week. Rowland Hill, a spokesperson for St. Dalfour added: 'It's wonderful to see so many of us are becoming more conscious of the negative effects of overprocessed foods and opting to prioritise quality and freshness. 'But we also believe we shouldn't have to sacrifice flavour to enjoy a decadent treat and look after ourselves. 'That's why we want to inspire audiences to enjoy a touch of French flair at breakfast — or any time of day — with our C'est Parfait recipe inspiration." 6 Chocolate spread is a no-go, according to a top nutritionist Credit: Getty 6 Fruits are a key part of a healthy start to the day Credit: Getty 6 Old faithful porridge provides slow release energy throughout the day Credit: Getty
