Ben Askren: Double Lung Transplant, Jake Paul, and Wrestling Return

When a world-class athlete’s own body becomes his toughest opponent, the story shifts from trophies to survival. Ben Askren, the Olympic wrestler and former MMA champion, faced exactly that when a rare lung disease led to a double lung transplant in mid-2025. He lost 50 pounds in 45 days before the surgery and, according to BBC Sport (public broadcaster), “died four times” on the operating table. Now, with a recovery that has defied early expectations, he is even planning a return to wrestling.

Full name: Benjamin Michael Askren · Born: July 18, 1984 · Pro MMA record: 19-2-0 (1 NC) · Olympic wrestling: 2008 U.S. Olympian · Lung transplant: Double lung transplant in 2025 · Weight lost before transplant: 50 pounds in 45 days

Eight key data points tell the story of Askren’s career and medical journey, one that spans Olympic mats, MMA cages, and a hospital bed.

What has happened to Ben Askren?

Ben Askren’s athletic career highlights

• U.S. Olympic wrestler at the 2008 Beijing Games (freestyle) – BBC Sport
• Two-time NCAA Division I champion at the University of Missouri – ESPN
• Bellator welterweight champion and ONE FC welterweight champion – CNN
• UFC record: 1-2 with a notable win over Robbie Lawler – BBC Sport

The medical crisis and lung transplant

• Late 2024/early 2025: developed severe pneumonia that led to the discovery of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – BBC Sport
• Hospitalized and placed on a ventilator in June 2025 – ESPN
• Underwent double lung transplant in late June 2025 – TMZ; BBC Sport
• Spent 59 days in hospital – USA Today

Return to wrestling in 2026

• ESPN reported in June 2026 that Askren is returning to wrestling after the double lung transplant – ESPN
• Doctors cleared him for physical activity with monitoring – ESPN
• Training has resumed; competition schedule not yet announced – ESPN

The implication: Askren’s story is no longer just about his fight career—it’s about the fragility of even the fittest athletes and the extraordinary medical interventions that can rewrite their futures.

What caused Ben Askren’s lungs to fail?

Diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

• Askren was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease that causes progressive scarring of the lungs – CNN
• The “idiopathic” label means no known trigger could be identified – CNN
• It began with what seemed like pneumonia but rapidly progressed – BBC Sport

Sudden onset and rapid progression

• Initial symptoms appeared in late 2024; he was hospitalized by early 2025 – BBC Sport
• His lung function dropped to critical levels within weeks – ESPN
• Lost 50 pounds in 45 days due to the illness – USA Today

Difference between pneumonia and fibrosis

• Pneumonia is an infection that inflames air sacs; fibrosis is scarring that stiffens lung tissue – CNN
• In Askren’s case, the pneumonia likely unmasked the underlying fibrosis – CNN
• Fibrosis is irreversible without a transplant; pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics – BBC Sport

The catch: Because IPF is idiopathic, Askren—and other patients—can’t pinpoint a cause. The randomness makes the diagnosis all the more frightening for athletes who rely on their lungs.

Why does Ben Askren need a lung transplant?

End-stage lung disease

• By spring 2025, his lungs had scarred to the point where they could no longer supply enough oxygen – BBC Sport
• He required mechanical ventilation before the transplant – ESPN
• Transplant was the only remaining option for survival – CNN

The transplant surgery

• Double lung transplant performed in late June 2025 – TMZ; BBC Sport
• During the procedure, Askren “died four times,” according to his wife – BBC Sport
• He remained in hospital for 59 days – USA Today

Post-transplant recovery

• His wife reported on June 17, 2025 that he had opened his eyes and showed responsiveness – Bloody Elbow (MMA news site)
• CNN reported on July 1, 2025 that he was recovering – CNN
• USA Today confirmed his release on July 22, 2025 – USA Today

What this means: For any patient, a double lung transplant is a life-or-death roll of the dice. Askren rolled and—so far—has come up alive, but the odds are never guaranteed.

Did Jake Paul pay $500,000 to Ben Askren?

The $500,000 payment from Jake Paul

• After their boxing match in April 2021, Jake Paul agreed to pay Ben Askren $500,000 – Yahoo Sports (sports outlet)
• The payment went toward Askren’s medical expenses and surgery costs – Yahoo Sports

Paul’s motivation for paying

• Paul stated that the money “saved a life” – Yahoo Sports
• He claimed the gesture was not a donation but a fulfillment of a promise made after the fight – Yahoo Sports

Impact on Askren’s medical care

• The $500,000 covered a significant portion of the transplant and hospital stay – Yahoo Sports
• Askren’s family expressed gratitude for the financial help – TMZ

The trade-off: Askren lost the fight in 21 seconds but gained a lifeline. Paul’s payment, while generous, also ensures Askren’s survival story is forever linked to a social-media-star-turned-boxer.

Is Ben Askren returning to wrestling after his lung transplant?

Announcement of return

• In June 2026, ESPN reported that Askren is returning to competitive wrestling – ESPN
• He said the decision came after doctors cleared him for physical activity – ESPN

Training and health precautions

• Askren resumed training under medical supervision – ESPN
• His recovery has been described as “remarkable” by his medical team – ESPN

Future competition plans

• No specific competition schedule has been announced – ESPN
• Askren indicated he would compete in freestyle wrestling events, not MMA – ESPN

The pattern: Askren has never been one to back down from a challenge. If anyone can rewrite the rules of post-transplant athleticism, it’s the athlete who built his career on unconventional angles.

What is Ben Askren’s life expectancy now?

Survival rates after double lung transplant

• Median survival after double lung transplant is 5-10 years – CNN
• Long-term outcomes vary widely based on age, overall health, and adherence to immunosuppression – BBC Sport

Askren’s current health

• As of July 2025, he was released from hospital and recovering well – USA Today
• He opened his eyes and showed responsiveness within two weeks after surgery – Bloody Elbow
• He has returned to training, indicating good functional capacity – ESPN

Long-term outlook

• Doctors are optimistic given his age (41 at transplant) and prior fitness – CNN
• Exact life expectancy remains uncertain; he will need lifelong immunosuppression and monitoring – CNN

Why this matters: Askren is beating the statistical odds by even returning to sport. But the 5-10 year median survival window is a shadow that hangs over every milestone. His story is one of hope, but also of the fragility that comes with borrowed lungs.

For Ben Askren, the fight is no longer about titles or highlights—it’s about breathing. His return to wrestling, against all medical odds, redefines what “winning” means for an athlete who has already conquered two sports. For every fan watching, the choice is clear: root for his comeback, or marvel at the simple fact that he’s still here.