Former UFC Fighter Ben Askren, 40, Hospitalized with ‘Severe Pneumonia’ and ‘Unable to Respond,’ Wife Amy Says

Ben Askren has been hospitalized with a severe illness. 

On Saturday, June, 7, Ben’s wife Amy announced in a Facebook post that the former MMA fighter, 40, is currently in hospital after developing “severe pneumonia.” She asked for prayers as Ben is currently not responsive to treatment.

“You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something,” Amy wrote. “He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.”

“We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now,” concluded the post. 

Ben and Amy have been married since 2010 and share three children, according to ESPN.

Amy’s post was shared after wrestling insider Pat Mineo posted about Ben’s condition on X Saturday. 

“Wrestling community, we need to pray for and rally around @BenAskren who is in critical condition and battling a severe staph infection 🙏🏻,” wrote Mineo, adding, “He is also battling severe pneumonia, prayers needed!!!”

During his MMA career, Ben achieved 12 consecutive MMA wins and won welterweight titles in Bellator MMA and One Championship, before retiring from the sport in 2019. The former MMA champion was also a member of Team USA in the 2008 Olympics, per ESPN and BVM Sports. 

In 2019, the two-time NCAA wrestling champion transitioned into UFC and in his debut fight, secured a record 1-2 victory over Robbie Lawler, per BVM Sports. 

In 2021, Askren fought against Jake Paul in the social media star’s third career match for which he earned $690,000, according to CBS Sports. Paul, 28, defeated Askren in a technical knockout one minute and 59 seconds into the first round.

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Ben’s illness comes a month after he announced in a video posted on Instagram that he had signed with the new wrestling promotion company Real American Freestyle, co-founded by retired WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.

“I just finished signing my Real American Freestyle contract,” Ben said. “I’ve been waiting to wrestle. I kind of miss competition. I love fighting but I don’t have time for that anymore … I’m going to whip some of these young whippersnappers, show them what the f— it’s all about.”

The former MMA champion noted in the clip that he is excited to participate in more fights under the company in the fall.

PEOPLE has reached out to Ben’s representatives for comment.

Credit: dotdashmeredith.com