Askren transitioned to MMA after an amateur wrestling career that saw him represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He quickly found success in the cage after winning the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament before capturing the welterweight title in 2010.'

Askren is on the road to recovery after undergoing a double lung transplant and losing more than 50 lbs. during his illness

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a severe case of pneumonia, said in a post on social media Wednesday that he had undergone a double lung transplant and is in recovery.

The multi-time MMA champion said he lost 50 pounds in a 45-day period as he fought for his life in a Wisconsin hospital.

Former U.S. Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren shared an emotional update for the first time since undergoing lung transplant surgery.

Similarly to all of Ben Askren’s supporters, Dana White was stunned after hearing the former UFC fighter talk about his current status and what he has been through in the past few weeks.

Ben Askren feels like he's attended his own funeral – but he hasn't. He's still alive. And not only that, he's now talking. In an emotional video posted to his social media account Wednesday, Askren provided a health update himself for the first time since he was hospitalized with a severe case of pneumonia that ultimately led to a lung transplant.

Former UFC fighter and ex-Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren knows he is lucky just to be alive. Askren is currently recovering following a double lung transplant. Askren suffered severe pneumonia that became a staph infection. He was placed on life support but provided his first public comments recently.