Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has revealed he died "four times" during a harrowing medical ordeal, speaking through tears in an emotional video update from his hospital bed.
The 40-year-old former welterweight champion posted on Instagram on Wednesday, describing his near-death experience whilst recovering from a double lung transplant.
The former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder was hospitalised last month with severe pneumonia, which reportedly developed from a staph infection, leading to the life-saving transplant procedure.
Askren spent over a month in a medically induced coma, with no memory of the experience between 28 May and 2 July.
Ben Askren opened up on his horrific experience on Instagram
"I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds," Askren said in the video, acknowledging the severity of his condition. "That's not ideal. I hope you guys know that, but I got the double lung transplant."
"I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2. [I have] no recollection, no idea [of] what happened," he explained.
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The American fighter described reading through his wife's journal to piece together what occurred during his unconscious period. "It's like a movie, it's ridiculous," he said of the account.
His condition necessitated the replacement of both lungs after the severe pneumonia took hold. The former wrestler's battle lasted 45 days in total, during which his family maintained a vigil whilst he remained unaware of the life-threatening situation unfolding around him.
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Ben Askren was hospitalised with pneumonia
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The physical toll of Askren's ordeal was dramatic, with the fighter losing more than three and a half stone during his hospitalisation. "I was actually on a scale yesterday and I was weighing 147 pounds. I haven't been 147 pounds since 15 years old," he revealed, noting the 50-pound weight loss over the 45-day period.
The mixed martial arts and wrestling communities rallied to support the Askren family, with UFC president Dana White making a public appeal for donations. A £368,000 donation from an anonymous benefactor helped fund the life-saving operation.
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Askren expressed deep gratitude for the support, saying: "The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good."
The father-of-three reflected on the experience with a unique perspective, comparing it to attending his own funeral.
"The thing that was most impactful to me was all the love I felt from everybody and it's almost like I got to have my own funeral," he said.
Ben Askren hails his wife for the support during the horrific incident
Getty
Despite the lengthy recovery ahead, Askren remains determined to return to coaching young wrestlers in Wisconsin.
"I'm more motivated than ever to keep giving and get back and do what I can and help out the best I can help out," he stated.
Fellow fighters offered overwhelming support, with former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier commenting: "We love you, buddy. You're a fighter, it's why you are fighting back. Thank God we still have you."