Latest news with #OlympicWrestler
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ben Askren's wife provides positive update after former UFC star undergoes double lung transplant
Ben Askren's wife has provided a positive update after the mixed martial arts veteran underwent a double lung transplant this week. Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who later ventured into boxing, retired from combat sports in 2021 at the age of 36, and at just 40, the American found himself facing a complicated health issue this month. His wife Amy wrote on Facebook on 7 June that Askren was suffering from 'severe pneumonia', as she asked for 'prayers for healing and for peace'. On 17 June, she added: 'I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant.' After reports suggested that Askren's health insurance would not cover a double lung transplant, Amy provided a positive update on Monday (30 June), writing: 'We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant. We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. 'This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift. It still doesn't feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly. 'Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own. I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can't wait to tell Ben all about It. 'I'm hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off.' Askren went to the 2008 Olympics as a Team USA wrestler, before beginning an MMA career in which he won the Bellator and ONE welterweight titles and stayed unbeaten until his final two fights. His last three fights all took place in the UFC in 2019, as he submitted Robbie Lawler before suffering a record-setting five-second knockout by Jorge Masvidal and a submission by Demian Maia. Askren then boxed once, facing YouTuber Jake Paul in 2021 and falling to a first-round knockout. He has not competed in any combat sport since.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
MMA champ facing lung transplant after sudden illness
Mixed martial arts veteran Ben Askren has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and may require a lung transplant. His wife, Amy Askren, shared on Facebook that he is currently on a ventilator and ECMO for lung support. She said she is 'praying for a miracle with his current lungs', but an evaluation process for a lung transplant has begun. Askren, 40, was an Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who retired from combat sports in 2021. His wife said he fell ill very suddenly, stating he was previously very healthy.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Ben Askren's wife ‘praying for miracle' as MMA veteran battles pneumonia
Ben Askren 's wife has said she is 'praying for a miracle' while the mixed martial arts veteran awaits a potential lung transplant, as he battles 'severe pneumonia'. Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion who later ventured into boxing, retired from combat sports in 2021 at the age of 36. Now, at just 40, the American is facing a complicated health issue. His wife Amy wrote on Facebook on 7 June: '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.' On Tuesday (17 June), Amy posted again, writing: '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 [Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a lung-support system] 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 lung transplant. 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 situations like this. 'Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this.' Askren went to the 2008 Olympics as a Team USA wrestler, before beginning an MMA career in which he won the Bellator and ONE welterweight titles and stayed unbeaten until his final two fights. His last three fights all took place in the UFC in 2019, as he submitted Robbie Lawler before suffering a record-setting five-second knockout by Jorge Masvidal and a submission by Demian Maia. Askren then boxed once, facing YouTuber Jake Paul in 2021 and falling to a first-round knockout. He has not competed in any combat sport since.
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
WWE Backlash 2025 Results: Jeff Cobb Could Debut in St. Louis
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 18: Jeff Cobb looks on during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling - G1 CLIMAX 34 Press ... More Conference on July 18, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by) If the rumors are true—and man, I hope they are—the best wrestler the WWE has never signed could make his promotional debut in St. Louis at WWE Backlash on Saturday night. According to multiple reports, WWE has already signed Jeff Cobb, and his debut is imminent—meaning he could make a splash in St. Louis. Triple H has hit another home run. In case you're wondering what all the fuss is about because you've never heard of Cobb, allow me to introduce the Hawaiian freak of nature with the video below that shows 40 of his best in-ring moves. Before I show it, consider this in-ring and physical comp: Cobb is Rhyno meets Chad Gable, Samoa Joe, a more athletic Jacob Fatu, and Otis. No, I'm not exaggerating. I dare you to watch all 40 moves and disagree. Take a look: In addition to that in-ring brilliance, Cobb is a former Olympic freestyle wrestler who competed at the 2004 Athens Games. Cobb is the kind of performer who could fit in anywhere, and he has tons of industry experience, having wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Lucha Underground, Ring of Honor, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He's already been in the ring with several current and former WWE Superstars like Rey Mysterio, Matt Riddle, Ricochet, and Gunther. Everyone in the industry knows him. That would explain why it is unlikely he'll land in NXT. Cobb is ready for Raw or SmackDown. FUKUOKA, JAPAN - MAY 03: Jeff Cobb enters the ring during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling - Wrestling ... More DONTAKU at Fukuoka Convention Center on May 03, 2024 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by) The downside of this signing and imminent debut is that WWE is massively late to the party. Cobb is already 42, and Father Time concepts suggest his best in-ring days are behind him. That said, we're talking about an elite athlete who, at 80%, is physically superior to the vast majority of any promotion's locker room. Look at guys like Brock Lesnar and one of Cobb's Olympic contemporaries, Yoel Romero, for proof that elite athletes of this ilk age differently than most. Cobb's age is likely the reason why he would leapfrog a stint with NXT. Like AJ Styles before him and, more recently, Penta and Rey Fenix, Cobb is such an accomplished performer that it would likely be an insult to drop him in the promotion's developmental league at this stage of his career. Allow me to dream a bit. Everyone is expecting to see a third man added to the Paul Heyman faction that includes Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker. Perhaps many will see Cobb and Breakker as too similar to include in the same faction. However, I believe that's exactly why it would work. WWE could ignite their tag-team division by having the pair wreak havoc as tag-team champions for an extended period while also being Rollins' backup. Obviously, this alliance (like all in the WWE) would ultimately come to an end. And when it does, Cobb vs. Breakker in a feud makes my eyes water because of the potential brilliance. These are the stories and the conversations that make me love wrestling like the kid who fell in love with it when I was seven years old. So, as you might expect, I'll be watching Backlash on Saturday night with piqued interest. Be on the lookout for coverage from me from the event.
