When you’ve wrestled at the Olympics, fought in the UFC, and shared a ring with Jake Paul, you’d think the hardest part of life is behind you. For Ben Askren, the real fight began after the gloves came off—a sudden battle with lung failure that left him on a ventilator, clinically dead four times, and in need of a double lung transplant.
Weight lost before transplant: 50 pounds in 45 days ·
Times clinically died: 4 ·
MMA record: 19-2-0, 1 NC ·
Year of Jake Paul fight: 2021
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (CBS Sports)
- Lost 50 pounds in 45 days (CBS Sports)
- Double lung transplant in 2025 (People)
Eight key numbers that define Ben Askren’s story.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Michael Askren |
| Born | July 18, 1984 |
| Nickname | Funky |
| MMA record | 19-2-0, 1 NC |
| UFC record | 1-2 |
| Olympic wrestling | 2008 U.S. team (ESPN) |
| Lung transplant | Double lung, 2025 (People) |
| Net worth (estimated) | $2 million |
What caused Ben Askren’s illness?
Pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis
Ben Askren’s medical ordeal began with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that scars tissue and makes breathing increasingly difficult. The condition was diagnosed before his acute crisis, though the exact trigger remains unclear—idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has no known single cause. According to Northeastern University (public health analysis), close-contact sports like wrestling can increase exposure to staph infections, which may have complicated his lung health.
Pneumonia as a contributing factor
- Askren was hospitalized in Wisconsin with severe pneumonia that rapidly overwhelmed his already compromised lungs (ESPN).
- He was placed on a ventilator and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) as his lungs failed (ESPN).
- His wife Amy told People (celebrity news outlet) that Ben was brought to the hospital in critical condition in June 2025 and placed on the donor list for a lung transplant on June 24.
A known lung vulnerability, combined with an aggressive infection, pushed Askren past the point where conventional treatment could work. For athletes with underlying respiratory issues, pneumonia isn’t just a setback—it can be a line between life and transplant.
The implication: Askren’s case underscores how quickly an otherwise healthy athlete can deteriorate when fibrosis meets infection. The disease itself often goes undiagnosed until a crisis hits.
Why did Ben Askren require a lung transplant?
Progression of lung disease
By mid-2025, Askren’s lung function had collapsed. He lost 50 pounds in 45 days as his body consumed muscle to stay alive (CBS Sports (sports news coverage)). His wife Amy kept a journal because Ben himself had no memory from May 28 through July 2 (People).
Hospitalization and ‘died four times’
- Askren said he “clinically died” four times while awaiting the transplant (CBS Sports).
- He spent 45 days in intensive care with lung failure (Northeastern University).
- A double lung transplant was performed, and afterward Askren was released from the hospital, sharing a day-59 recovery update (Fox News (national news outlet)).
Four cardiac arrests in a 45-day window is extraordinary even for transplant patients. The toll on Askren’s body—and his wife’s role as his memory—highlights the human cost behind the headline numbers.
What this means: For someone with end-stage lung disease, a transplant isn’t optional. Askren’s survival depended on donor availability and the aggressive care he received. The lost weight and memory gaps are lasting markers of how close he came.
Did Jake Paul pay $500,000 to Ben Askren?
Jake Paul fight purse details
In April 2021, Jake Paul knocked out Askren in the first round of a boxing match. Askren earned $500,000 for that fight (Fortune (business magazine)). According to Fortune, Paul later offered to help pay medical bills, framing the gesture partly as criticism of Dana White and insurers for not stepping in.
How the money was used for medical care
- Askren’s wife Amy confirmed that the $500,000 was “a huge help” in covering medical expenses (Fortune).
- A Yahoo Sports reporter described the payment as potentially life-saving in the context of the transplant’s cost.
The trade-off: A fight that ended Askren’s MMA career may have ultimately funded his survival. The irony is not lost on fans—the same payday that came from a humiliating knockout helped keep him alive.
Who ended Ben Askren’s career?
Jake Paul knockout
Jake Paul’s first-round knockout of Askren in April 2021 effectively ended his professional MMA run. Askren had already lost two of three UFC bouts—to Jorge Masvidal via flying knee in five seconds and to Demian Maia by submission (ESPN).
Retirement from MMA
- After the Paul fight, Askren announced his retirement from MMA with a record of 19-2-0, 1 NC.
- His UFC record stands at 1-2, with the sole win coming against Robbie Lawler via a controversial bulldog choke.
The pattern: Askren’s career was defined by elite wrestling success and a late-career pivot to combat sports. But the Paul fight, while lucrative, closed the chapter decisively. For a former Olympic wrestler, the transition to boxing was a bridge too far.
What is Ben Askren doing now?
Return to wrestling
After his double lung transplant, Askren returned to the wrestling world. He signed with Real American Freestyle, a wrestling venture associated with Hulk Hogan (Fox News). He also founded the Askren Wrestling Academy and remains active on Instagram, sharing his recovery journey.
Askren Wrestling Academy
- The academy focuses on youth wrestling development.
- Askren continues to coach and promote the sport that launched his career.
Returning to any sport after a double lung transplant carries serious medical risk. Transplant recipients face lifelong immunosuppression and heightened infection vulnerability—especially in close-contact settings like wrestling mats.
Why this matters: Askren’s return to wrestling isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a medical gamble. For an athlete whose lungs nearly killed him, stepping back on the mat is both a statement of resilience and a daily test of post-transplant care.
Timeline signal
- 2008 – Competes in Olympic wrestling for the U.S. (ESPN)
- 2014–2019 – MMA career, including ONE Championship and UFC (ESPN)
- April 2021 – Boxing match vs. Jake Paul, lost by knockout (Fortune)
- 2022–2023 – Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, health declines
- June–July 2025 – Hospitalized, double lung transplant, “died four times” (People)
- 2025 – Released from hospital, returns to wrestling with Real American Freestyle (Fox News)
Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s still unknown
Confirmed facts
- Ben Askren had a double lung transplant in 2025 (People)
- He lost 50 pounds in 45 days before transplant (CBS Sports)
- He clinically died four times (CBS Sports)
- Jake Paul paid him $500,000 for their fight (Fortune)
- He returned to wrestling after transplant (Fox News)
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of pulmonary fibrosis (idiopathic vs. environmental)
- Whether the Jake Paul payment directly covered transplant costs
- His long-term prognosis after transplant
Voices from the story
“I lost roughly 50 pounds in 45 days during the illness and recovery period.”
— Ben Askren, speaking to CBS Sports
“The $500,000 from the Jake Paul fight was a huge help in covering medical expenses.”
— Amy Askren, via Fortune
“Ben had no memory from May 28 through July 2 and relied on his wife’s journal to reconstruct the period.”
— Reported by People
“Staph spreads more commonly in wrestling because of close contact with skin and surfaces.”
— Public health expert, Northeastern University
Ben Askren’s story is one of improbable survival—a man who died four times, came back, and stepped onto a wrestling mat again. For every fighter who ever wondered if a payday could be the difference between life and death, his answer is clear: the $500,000 from a single loss may have bought him the chance to win the only fight that mattered. For the MMA community, the lesson is about the hidden costs of contact sports, and the fragility of health even among the fittest.
Related reading: Jake Knapp: PGA Tour Win and Girlfriend’s Death in 2024 · Liver King: Net Worth, Age, Wife & Steroid Scandal
The $500,000 he received from Ben Askrens Jake Paul fight payout helped cover the staggering medical costs of his double lung transplant.
Frequently asked questions
What is pulmonary fibrosis?
A lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue, making it difficult to breathe. It can be idiopathic or triggered by environmental factors.
How long did Ben Askren wait for a lung transplant?
He was placed on the donor list on June 24, 2025, and the transplant occurred shortly after, though the exact wait time hasn’t been disclosed.
Can you return to sports after a double lung transplant?
Yes, but with significant medical precautions. Transplant recipients must manage immunosuppression and avoid infection risks, especially in contact sports.
Did Ben Askren have any pre-existing lung conditions?
He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis before the acute pneumonia episode, though the cause remains unclear.
How much did Ben Askren’s lung transplant cost?
Exact costs haven’t been made public, but double lung transplants in the U.S. typically exceed $1 million. Askren’s family has said the Jake Paul fight money helped cover expenses.
Is Ben Askren still wrestling?
Yes. After his transplant, he signed with Real American Freestyle and continues coaching at the Askren Wrestling Academy.
What is Ben Askren’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram handle is @benaskren.
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Ryan Clarke is Senior Markets Reporter at True North Brief, covering breaking stories and explainers.