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Economic Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
MMA legend Ben Askren hospitalized in Critical condition with severe Pneumonia, family asks for prayers
Ben Askren, the former UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship welterweight champion, is hospitalized in critical condition due to a sudden and severe case of pneumonia. His wife, Amy, has requested privacy and prayers as he remains unresponsive in intensive care. The MMA community has rallied in support of Askren, a decorated wrestler and MMA fighter. Ben Askren, 40, is a two-time NCAA champion and Olympic wrestler. He competed in MMA, winning titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before joining the UFC in a trade for Demetrious Johnson, with an unbeaten 20-fight record. (Image: Ben Askren/X) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who is Ben Askren? Former UFC , Bellator, and ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben 'Funky' Askren has been hospitalized in critical condition after developing a severe case of pneumonia . The illness struck suddenly, and Askren is currently unresponsive and receiving treatment in an intensive care wife, Amy Askren, confirmed the news on social media, urging privacy and prayers. 'He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly,' she wrote.'He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and peace.' She also asked supporters to spare any discussions of the situation around their friend and MMA stalwart Chael Sonnen reassured fans that Askren is alive and appreciative of the support, though family privacy remains a priority. The wrestling and MMA community has rallied, sending heartfelt messages and prayer Askren, 40, is a decorated wrestling and MMA athlete. He was a two-time NCAA Division I champion and a three-time Big 12 champion at the University of Missouri. He also won the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy twice and represented the U.S. at the 2008 MMA, Askren debuted professionally in 2009, eventually securing welterweight titles in Bellator and ONE Championship. He transitioned to the UFC in a historic exchange deal, traded for flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson, with a 20-fight unbeaten UFC run included a controversial submission win over Robbie Lawler and knockout defeats to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, after which he retired in 2019 due to hip MMA, Askren ventured into boxing, facing YouTube star Jake Paul in April 2021 and suffering a first-round knockout he battles Pneoumenia, Askren's wife and family have requested continued respect for their privacy during this difficult time.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Olympic medallist Richardson turns professional
Olympic bronze medallist Lewis Richardson has turned professional, ending months of deliberation about his future. The 27-year-old was Britain's only boxing medallist in Paris last year, winning two bouts before losing to Mexico's Marco Verde on a 3-2 split decision in the light-middleweight from Colchester, has joined Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions stable after GB Boxing confirmed on Thursday that he was no longer a member of their World Class date and venue of his first professional bout has yet to be confirmed."My inspiration as a professional is to go all the way, to win a world title. I remember watching the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Richie Woodhall and in more recent years, of course, the likes of Tyson Fury," Richardson said in a Queensberry video. "Years and years of experience, Frank has. It gives you goosebumps knowing you are joining a very illustrious group of fighters."Promoter Warren said he had signed Richardson because he was an "A-star amateur" who will make his mark on the pro ranks very quickly. Richardson originally took up boxing as a way of keeping fit for football, but became a national schoolboy champion in amateur career was interrupted by stress fractures in his back but he achieved a medal double in 2022, winning silver at the European Championships in Armenia and bronze at the Commonwealth Games in followed that with more success in Paris but said last November that he wanted more time to "navigate my path" between turning pro or aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles a post on X, GB Boxing said: "We thank you for your commitment to the WCP since joining us back in January 2018."Wishing you all the very best for the future, forever a part of the GB Boxing family."
