Former UFC fighter Ben Askren launched after double-lung transplant

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Former UFC fighter Ben Askren introduced he was launched from a hospital Tuesday after a battle with extreme pneumonia led to a double-lung transplant.

The 40-year-old Askren posted a video replace from his automobile, which his spouse Amy was driving after he was launched from the hospital.

On "day 59," Askren defined how he lost 50 pounds whereas being hospitalized. Even worse, he described coming near dying.

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UFC fighter Ben Askren waits for the beginning of a middleweight combined martial arts bout between David Department and Jared Cannonier at UFC 230, in New York, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Picture/Julio Cortez, File)

"I’m out, with my stunning spouse. Supportive. Man, that was a protracted journey, and it’s not over as a result of I nonetheless can’t actually stroll," Askren mentioned within the video. "I [have to] preserve reteaching myself to try this, amongst many different issues. I assume I could make gentle of it as a result of it was me, and I don’t actually keep in mind it. However Amy, how shut was I to dying?"

After a pause, Askren’s spouse responded, "Too shut. A number of instances."

"Ah, man," Askren continued. "I don’t keep in mind 35 days of this journey, however I believe surgical procedure was 24-25 days in the past. It was onerous, it was onerous. And I mentioned this already in one in all my movies, however the help you guys gave me, whether or not it was sending a GoFundMe, whether or not it was serving to my youngsters and spouse get by means of it – I had pals from all around the nation come to go to and hang around for a few days – it meant a lot. It was so nice to only have all this help and all of the love, and hopefully I’m not on this state of affairs once more for a extremely, actually, actually very long time. I plan on dwelling some time.

EX-UFC STAR BEN ASKREN SAYS HE ‘ONLY DIED 4 TIMES’ AS HE BATTLED HARROWING ILLNESS

"So, thanks guys, once more. All of the optimistic help. All of the feedback on-line. All the things. It means a lot. Love you guys."

In a earlier video, Askren mentioned it was "like a film" that he didn’t keep in mind something from Could 28 to July 2.

I solely died 4 instances, the place the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds," he mentioned.

Ben Askren stands in his nook earlier than a welterweight bout towards Demian Maia of Brazil throughout UFC Combat Night time at Singapore Indoor Stadium Oct. 26, 2019, in Singapore. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs)

"However I received the double lung transplant. I made it out to the opposite facet of it. Gaining fairly a little bit of power. Studying to make use of the whole lot once more. I used to be on the dimensions yesterday, 147 kilos. I haven’t been 147 kilos since 15 years previous. … So, that was a battle. I don’t keep in mind most of it."

Amy Askren mentioned in early July her husband acquired a donor for the double lung transplant and was asking for prayers.

Askren not too long ago signed with Real American Freestyle, the Hulk Hogan enterprise hoping to popularize skilled freestyle wrestling.

The 40-year-old was an NCAA champion within the 170-pound division in 2006 and 2007 and competed for Staff USA within the 2008 Olympics. He gained gold medals on the 2005 Pan American Championships and the 2009 World Championships.

Ben Askren attends a information convention for Triller Combat Membership's inaugural 2021 boxing occasion at The Venetian Las Vegas March 26, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Photographs)

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Askren totally transitioned to MMA combating when he debuted in Bellator in 2010. He competed in ONE Championship earlier than transferring to the UFC.

Askren fought Robbie Lawler and gained by submission at UFC 235 earlier than falling to Jorge Masvidal. Then, in 2021, Askren fought Jake Paul in a boxing match, and he was knocked out within the first spherical.