What Happened to Benjamin Michael Askren?
Ben Askren is an American former Olympic wrestler and mixed martial artist, known for his dominant grappling style and undefeated runs as Welterweight Champion in Bellator and ONE Championship. After a brief UFC stint and a crossover boxing match, Askren faced a life-threatening health crisis in 2025, requiring a double lung transplant. He has since made a remarkable recovery and returned to competitive freestyle wrestling in July 2026, while also serving as an ambassador, commentator, and matchmaker for Real American Freestyle.
Quick Answer
Ben Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion, officially retired from MMA in 2019 due to hip issues, following a challenging run in the UFC and a high-profile boxing loss to Jake Paul in 2021. In 2025, he endured a severe health battle, including pneumonia and a double lung transplant. As of July 2026, Askren has made a remarkable recovery and returned to competitive freestyle wrestling, competing for Real American Freestyle, where he also works as an ambassador, commentator, and matchmaker.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Benjamin Michael Askren was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
First NCAA Division I National Championship
Askren won his first NCAA Division I national championship in wrestling for the University of Missouri.
US Olympic Team Member
He represented the United States in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Professional MMA Debut
Askren made his professional mixed martial arts debut, defeating Josh Flowers via TKO.
Wins Bellator Welterweight Championship
Askren defeated Lyman Good via unanimous decision to become the Bellator Welterweight Champion.
Wins ONE Welterweight World Championship
After vacating his Bellator title, Askren joined ONE Championship and won their welterweight title by defeating Nobutatsu Suzuki.
UFC Debut
Askren made his highly anticipated UFC debut, controversially defeating Robbie Lawler via bulldog choke.
Suffers Fastest UFC Knockout
Askren was knocked out by Jorge Masvidal with a flying knee in 5 seconds, marking his first professional MMA loss and the fastest knockout in UFC history.
Announces MMA Retirement
Askren officially retired from mixed martial arts due to chronic hip problems requiring replacement surgery.
Professional Boxing Match vs. Jake Paul
Askren competed in a professional boxing match against YouTube personality Jake Paul, losing by TKO in the first round.
Undergoes Double Lung Transplant
After a severe battle with pneumonia and a 59-day hospital stay, Askren underwent a life-saving double lung transplant.
Reflects on Recovery and Future
Askren entered 2026 with a renewed outlook on life, expressing gratitude and a desire to live with more purpose after his near-death experience.
Returns to Competitive Wrestling
Less than a year after his lung transplant, Askren was scheduled to return to active competition in a freestyle wrestling match against Belal Muhammad at Real American Freestyle (RAF) 11, on his 42nd birthday.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Benjamin 'Funky' Askren established himself as an elite grappler long before his mixed martial arts career. An accomplished freestyle wrestler, he was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion for the Missouri Tigers, a four-time finalist, and a 2008 US Olympic Team Member. His collegiate record stood at an impressive 153-8, with 91 wins by fall, earning him two Dan Hodge Trophies.
Askren transitioned to professional MMA in 2009, quickly rising through the ranks. He became the Bellator Welterweight Champion in 2010, defending the title successfully multiple times before vacating it in 2013 with an undefeated record of 12-0. He then joined ONE Championship, where he continued his dominance, becoming the ONE Welterweight World Champion and extending his undefeated streak to 18-0 (1 NC) before a brief retirement in 2017.
In 2019, Askren made a highly anticipated move to the UFC as part of a historic trade. His UFC tenure was short and challenging, marked by a controversial win over Robbie Lawler, followed by a record-setting five-second flying knee knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal, and a submission loss to Demian Maia, leading to his official retirement from MMA in November 2019 due to persistent hip problems. After his MMA retirement, Askren ventured into professional boxing, facing YouTube personality Jake Paul in April 2021, a bout he lost by TKO in the first round.
The year 2025 brought a severe health crisis for Askren. He battled severe pneumonia, which led to a 59-day hospital stay and ultimately required a life-saving double lung transplant on June 30, 2025. His recovery has been a testament to his resilience, with Askren reflecting on the experience and entering 2026 with a renewed perspective on life.
As of July 2026, Askren has made a remarkable comeback to competitive sports. He returned to freestyle wrestling, a sport he loves, for Real American Freestyle (RAF), an organization where he also serves as an ambassador, commentator, and matchmaker. He was scheduled to compete against UFC star Belal Muhammad at RAF 11 on July 18, 2026, which also marked his 42nd birthday. This return to the mat, less than a year after his double lung transplant, highlights his enduring passion for wrestling and competitive spirit.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Benjamin Michael Askren made different choices?