MILWAUKEE — Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren revealed in a social media post Wednesday that he underwent a life-saving double lung transplant after battling a severe case of pneumonia. The 40-year-old fighter, now recovering, shared harrowing details of his near-death experience, including multiple cardiac arrests during his month-long hospitalization.

In an emotional Instagram video, Askren admitted he remembers almost nothing from late May through early July. His wife, Amy, had previously posted updates explaining that he was placed on a ventilator in June and added to the lung transplant waiting list on June 24.

"No recollection, zero idea—I had no clue what was happening," Askren said of the ordeal. "Reading my wife’s journal was like watching a movie. It’s insane. I technically died four times—my heart stopped for about 20 seconds each time."

The former fighter lost roughly 50 pounds over 45 days but emphasized the overwhelming support he received. "The most incredible part was feeling all that love," he said. "It was like getting to attend my own funeral."

A Wisconsin-based wrestling coach and two-time NCAA champion, Askren represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics before transitioning to MMA, where he became a champion in Bellator and ONE Championship. After retiring from the UFC in 2019, he briefly returned to combat sports in 2021 for a high-profile boxing match against YouTuber Jake Paul, which ended in a first-round knockout.

Now focused on recovery, Askren’s story has drawn an outpouring of support from fans and fellow athletes alike.