Ben Askren, the former UFC welterweight and Olympic wrestler, is alive and made a return to competitive wrestling in July 2026 after surviving a life-threatening illness that required a double lung transplant. His official MMA record stands at 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest.
Askren was hospitalized in June 2025 with severe pneumonia that developed from a staph infection. His condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring a ventilator and ECMO support. Multiple reports at the time indicated he was close to death.
He received a double lung transplant around June 30, 2025. After more than a year of recovery, Askren stepped back onto the mat for a final wrestling match in July 2026, an event that drew widespread attention and was described by several outlets as remarkable given the severity of his medical crisis.
Is Ben Askren Alive? Lung Transplant and Pneumonia Context
Ben Askren at a glance
Alive; no death report in provided inputs.
19-2-0 (1 NC)
July 18, 1984
MMA, Olympic wrestling, boxing; National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee
Key insights
- Askren’s health status is the most pressing question. The article provides a clear answer early.
- The official 19-2-0 (1 NC) record is the most important career fact for fans and researchers.
- No top result currently covers the 2026 or net worth update angle, creating an opportunity for fresh, timestamped content.
- The acronym RAF is unverified in most sources. Transparent clarification is necessary rather than speculation.
- Askren’s return to wrestling after a double lung transplant is a highly unusual event, described as miraculous by multiple outlets.
- His illness began with a staph infection that escalated into severe pneumonia, a detail that grounds the medical story.
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Michael Askren | Wikipedia |
| Born | July 18, 1984 | Wikipedia/ESPN |
| Height | 5’11” | UFCStats |
| Weight | 170 lbs | UFCStats |
| Reach | 73″ | UFCStats |
| Stance | Orthodox | UFCStats |
| MMA record | 19-2-0 (1 NC) | UFCStats |
| Team | Roufusport | ESPN |
| Nickname | Funky | ESPN |
| Stats | SLpM 3.64 | UFCStats |
| Honor | National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee | Wikipedia |
Ben Askren lung transplant
Multiple major outlets, including BBC Sport and ESPN, reported that Askren underwent a double lung transplant on or around June 30, 2025. The surgery followed a weeks-long hospitalization in Wisconsin during which he was placed on a ventilator and ECMO. Askren later recounted that he “died four times” during the ordeal, a statement repeated by several news organizations. Wikipedia maintains a summary of these events, citing the same reporting.
Ben Askren pneumonia
The medical crisis began with a staph infection that developed into severe pneumonia, according to Askren’s family and later interviews. CBS Sports reported on the initial hospitalization and the gravity of his condition. The pneumonia was severe enough to require advanced life support, and it directly led to the need for a double lung transplant. No further medical details about whether the pneumonia has fully resolved are available in the provided sources.
What Is Ben Askren’s UFC Record and Fight History?
Ben Askren UFC record
Askren’s official MMA record is 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest. The commonly cited “19-2-0” notation omits the no-contest result. ESPN and UFCStats both list the record as 19-2 with one no contest. He competed in the UFC’s welterweight division, representing Roufusport, and fought under the nickname “Funky.”
The record 19-2-0 appears in some databases, but the most reliable sources — including ESPN and UFCStats — list it as 19-2 with one no contest. The difference matters for accurate statistical reference.
Ben Askren fight
Askren’s professional MMA career included stints in Bellator and the UFC before he retired from the sport in 2019. His fighting style was rooted in elite amateur wrestling: he was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and represented the United States at the 2008 Olympics. After retiring from MMA, he transitioned into boxing and later returned to wrestling for a one-off bout in 2026.
His most notable UFC appearances include a quick submission loss to Jorge Masvidal in 2019 and a win over Robbie Lawler earlier that same year. The full fight history is documented on Wikipedia and UFCStats.
What Is Ben Askren’s Net Worth and Status in 2026?
Ben Askren net worth
No verified net worth figure for Ben Askren appears in the provided research sources. Several websites speculate on his earnings from MMA, boxing, and endorsements, but none of those figures can be confirmed from the available reporting. The absence of a reliable number means any stated net worth would be conjecture.
No verified net worth figure for Ben Askren is available in the provided sources. Readers should treat any unverified numbers found elsewhere with caution.
Ben Askren 2026
The most significant 2026 development is Askren’s return to wrestling. On July 18, 2026, he competed in a match at Real American Freestyle (RAF) event number 11, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His opponent was Belal Muhammad. The bout was widely described as Askren’s final wrestling match, and he stated afterward that he did not plan to wrestle again. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on the event, noting the significance of his return after a double lung transplant.
During his recovery, Askren worked with the RAF promotion as an ambassador, commentator, and matchmaker, according to reports. The Athletic covered his return announcement, framing it as a remarkable comeback following a near-fatal illness.
What Happened to Ben Askren? A Timeline of His Health Crisis and Comeback
- July 18, 1984 — Benjamin Michael Askren is born. (Wikipedia)
- 2008 — Askren represents the United States in Olympic wrestling in Beijing. (Wikipedia)
- 2013–2019 — Professional MMA career, including stints in Bellator and the UFC. Official record: 19-2-0 (1 NC). (UFCStats, ESPN)
- 2019 — Askren retires from MMA after a loss to Demian Maia. (BBC Sport)
- June 2025 — Hospitalized in Wisconsin with severe pneumonia stemming from a staph infection. Placed on a ventilator and ECMO. (CBS Sports, BBC Sport)
- June 30, 2025 — Undergoes a double lung transplant. (ESPN, Wikipedia)
- 2025–2026 — Recovery period; Askren works with Real American Freestyle as an ambassador, commentator, and matchmaker. (Wikipedia)
- July 18, 2026 — Returns to wrestling at RAF 11 in Milwaukee, facing Belal Muhammad in what is described as his final match. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, BBC Sport, The Athletic)
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Ben Askren’s Situation
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Ben Askren was born July 18, 1984. | Current medical details — whether pneumonia is active, resolved, or related to the transplant. |
| His official MMA record is 19-2-0 (1 NC). | The meaning of the “RAF” query in contexts outside of Real American Freestyle. |
| He is associated with Roufusport and the nickname “Funky.” | Any verified 2026 plans beyond the RAF wrestling match. |
| He is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee. | Any verified net worth figure. |
| He received a double lung transplant on June 30, 2025. | Whether additional medical procedures or follow-up treatments are ongoing. |
| He returned to wrestling at RAF 11 on July 18, 2026. | The long-term effects of the transplant on his physical health. |
The acronym “RAF” is confirmed in the provided sources only as “Real American Freestyle,” the promotion that staged Askren’s return match. Any other meaning of RAF in connection with Ben Askren is not supported by the available reporting.
What Is Driving the Search Interest in Ben Askren?
A double lung transplant is a serious, potentially fatal medical event. It naturally generates verification searches — people want to know whether the person survived. That explains the high volume of “is he alive” queries around Ben Askren in 2025 and 2026.
His MMA identity remains the reference anchor for most users. Even as health news dominates, queries about his record and fight history persist because his career is the reason he is a public figure. The curiosity about his financial status — net worth — reflects a common pattern for athletes who have transitioned between sports and retirement.
Future-dated queries such as “Ben Askren 2026” signal a need for timestamps and explicit update logic. Users want to know whether new information exists. The unclear acronym “RAF” shows the importance of transparent disambiguation rather than guessing at its meaning.
Sources and Key Quotations on Ben Askren’s Health and Career
“Benjamin Michael Askren (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler and boxer.”
— Wikipedia
“Record: 19-2-0 (1 NC).”
— UFCStats
“Team: Roufusport. Nickname: Funky.”
— ESPN
“Ben Askren had the lead in final wrestling match after double lung transplant; then his body gave out.”
— Sherdog
Additional reporting from Yahoo Sports described his comeback as “miraculous” given the severity of his illness and transplant recovery. People magazine also published an exclusive interview with Askren discussing his return to the ring.
Ben Askren’s Story in Brief
Ben Askren, a former UFC welterweight and Olympic wrestler, survived a near-fatal bout of pneumonia in 2025 that required a double lung transplant. He returned to competitive wrestling in July 2026 for a final match under the Real American Freestyle banner. His official MMA record stands at 19-2 with one no contest. No verified net worth figure is available, and his long-term health outlook remains a matter of ongoing medical privacy. For the full background on his health crisis, see the Ben Askren returning to wrestling after double lung transplant report.
FAQ
Ben Askren RAF — what does RAF mean?
The provided sources confirm that RAF stands for Real American Freestyle, the promotion that staged Askren’s return wrestling match on July 18, 2026. No other meaning of RAF in connection with Askren is supported by the available reporting.
Is Ben Askren still alive?
Yes, Ben Askren is alive. He returned to wrestling in July 2026 after a double lung transplant, confirming his survival through public appearances and competition.
What is Ben Askren’s UFC record?
His official MMA record is 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest. Some sources list it as 19-2-0, but the no contest is part of the official tally.
When did Ben Askren get a lung transplant?
Multiple reports place the double lung transplant on or around June 30, 2025, following a severe pneumonia infection that required ECMO and ventilator support.
Did Ben Askren fight in 2026?
Yes, he competed in a wrestling match at Real American Freestyle (RAF) event 11 on July 18, 2026, against Belal Muhammad. It was described as his final wrestling match.
What is Ben Askren’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure appears in the provided research sources. Any stated number would be speculation and cannot be confirmed from available reporting.
How did Ben Askren get pneumonia?
According to his family and later interviews, the illness began with a staph infection that developed into severe pneumonia, leading to his hospitalization in June 2025.
What is Ben Askren’s nickname?
His nickname is “Funky.” He competed under that name during his MMA career, representing Roufusport in the UFC welterweight division.
Is Ben Askren in the Hall of Fame?
He is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, recognizing his achievements as an elite amateur wrestler and Olympic athlete.
How old is Ben Askren?
Ben Askren was born on July 18, 1984, making him 42 years old at the time of his 2026 wrestling return.
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.