Ben Askren's wife provides emotional health update on ex-UFC star's condition
The former UFC star was unresponsive last week after he contracted pneumonia- with his wife Amy now providing an update on her husband's condition
Ben Askren 's wife Amy has given an emotional update on her husband, confirming that the ex-UFC star remains in hospital on a ventilator.
The 40-year-old was recently hospitalised earlier this month after contracting pneumonia as a result of a staph infection. Last week, the American was unresponsive - and rumours began circulating online that he had died. However, those rumours were quickly shut down.
Askren's good friend Daniel Cormier recently claimed that the former two-promotion champion was back home. However, Amy has since provided a fresh update on her husband's condition via Facebook on Tuesday evening. She revealed that her partner's body 'can't handle coming off sedation,' and he may need to undergo a lung transplant.
In an emotional post uploaded to social media, she wrote: "I haven't shared an update because Ben has been in limbo for a while and I was hoping to have him wake up and be the one to decide what to share. I've had some media people contact me that they are going to share an update and I would rather it come from me.
"Ben is still on a ventilator and ecmo to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, but on the good, they have been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands. His body can't handle coming off sedation too much yet. I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for a lung transplant."
Both Amy and Ben married in 2010 and the pair have three children together with two daughters, Alex and Andy, and a son called Ozzi. She continued: "Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily. I know transplants are such a blessing and I'm overwhelmed at the thought of him receiving a gift like that. No one would take better care of that gift than Ben.
"Thank you for every message and all of the support. Despite this awful situation, I'm feeling so blessed by the community we're surrounded by. Give your loved ones a hug today and make sure you're prepared (for) situations like this. Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this."
The emotional update comes just hours after wrestling journalist Pat Mineo had claimed that Askren was making progress, but also that challenges still remained. He had 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."
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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