UFC fighter Ben Askren continues to battle the extreme case of pneumonia that triggered him to be hospitalized over the weekend.
Ben’s spouse, Amy Askren, informed TMZ Sports on Thursday, June 12, that her husband is “undoubtedly nonetheless preventing” for his life.
Amy shut down any chatter on the contrary, including, “He’s alive and any rumor he has died is totally false.”
Information of Ben’s well being situation was revealed by Amy by way of Fb on Saturday, June 7.
“You will have heard that my husband Ben goes by means of one thing,” Amy wrote. “He developed extreme pneumonia which got here on very out of the blue. He’s presently within the hospital and unable to answer something right now. We welcome all prayers for therapeutic and for peace. We are attempting to maintain life as regular as doable for our kids presently and doing our greatest to help them thoughtfully so please chorus from discussing it with them for now.”
Ben and Amy share three kids: daughters Alex, 12, and Andi, 9, and son Ozi, 7.
Amy supplied an replace on Monday, June 9, urging her mates and followers to “preserve praying for Ben.”
“Feeling so extremely grateful for our mates and group — it’s occasions like this that remind you the way actually blessed you might be,” she shared by way of Fb. “I really feel God shifting by means of the love and help we have now obtained. I’m sorry if I haven’t had the possibility to answer you, however know I’ve seen your messages, and each has meant a lot to me.”
Ben had a celebrated collegiate wrestling profession on the College of Missouri, profitable two NCAA Division 1 nationwide championships. He later represented Staff USA on the 2008 Summer time Olympics in Beijing, falling within the quarterfinals.
Publish-Olympics, Ben transitioned right into a profession in blended martial arts.
Following success in Bellator and ONE Championship, Ben signed with the UFC in November 2018. Askren fought solely thrice in UFC, compiling a 1-2 report earlier than saying his retirement from MMA in November 2019.
In April 2021, Ben confronted social media celebrity Jake Paul in a boxing match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Askren misplaced by TKO within the 1st spherical.
Since information of his hospitalization, members of the wrestling and MMA worlds have expressed their condolences.
“It’s taken a minute to say something as a result of In my head you’re already healed and again residence with Amy and the youngsters taking part in disc golf within the yard or attempting to chop down a tree with a chainsaw in your flip flops,” UFC fighter Maycee Barber shared via Instagram on Wednesday, June 11. “God is so good and I do know that he has his arms wrapped round you and the household proper now. Considering and praying more durable than ever for you proper now. I do know God has a plan by means of all of this. See you quickly!! 🙏🏼❤️🩹”
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani despatched his “optimistic ideas” to Ben via X on Saturday. “Dangle in there @Benaskren. You bought this.”
Former Staff USA gold medal-winning gymnast Dominique Moceanu commented on Helwani’s put up, writing, “Sending prayers for Ben, his household, and the unbelievable medical group caring for him.”