Ben Askren’s Health Emergency Grips the MMA Community
The news hit the combat sports world like a punch to the face: Ben Askren, former UFC standout and welterweight champion, is now in a fight he never trained for. Hospitalized with both severe pneumonia and a staph infection, Askren’s condition quickly spiraled from bad to dire. He’s currently on life support, waiting and hoping for a double lung transplant—the only real shot at saving his life.
His wife, Amy, has been the voice for the family, giving emotional updates as the medical team does everything possible. Some days, Askren is conscious and communicative, while others he’s barely hanging on. It’s a rollercoaster, with every update from Amy bringing either a bit of hope or a fresh wave of worry for the family’s many followers and fellow fighters.
Callouts and Donations: Jake Paul and the Business of Support
One name, though, keeps popping up in this story: Dana White. The UFC president has a long history of promoting fighters like Askren but hasn’t yet made any public statements or shown support. That silence drew attention from none other than Jake Paul, the celebrity YouTuber-turned-boxer who faced Askren in a hyped match back in April 2021. Despite being rivals in the ring, Jake wasted no time blasting White for not stepping up publicly to help.
Jake and his brother Logan didn't just criticize—they’re putting their money where their mouths are. Both Paul brothers promised big donations to help offset the sky-high costs that come with a double lung transplant and the round-the-clock aftercare. Considering Askren’s condition, the bills add up fast, and insurance only covers so much. Their offer isn’t just a headline, it's a meaningful lifeline at a time when the fight isn’t about titles, but survival.
The mood within the wider combat sports circuit is electric and, frankly, tense. Fighters, coaches, and fans are raising funds, sending tributes, and keeping Askren’s name trending so the story doesn’t get buried. Still, the elephant in the room remains: why hasn’t Dana White spoken or donated, given how vital Askren was to the UFC roster during his career? Jake Paul’s criticism has sparked a real debate about what responsibility fight promoters have to their former stars once the lights go down and the crowds leave.
Askren's struggle is a reminder that even the toughest athletes can find themselves powerless against health problems that don't care about fame or fitness. The family isn’t giving up, though. Amy keeps sharing raw moments online—sometimes hopeful, sometimes heartbreaking—while asking for prayers, positive thoughts, and practical help.
If a donor match is found in time, and Ben Askren makes it out of this, it won’t just be thanks to doctors, but also to a community fighting in his corner in ways that go well beyond the cage.
