Ben Askren’s life has taken dramatic turns. Once known for a dominant collegiate wrestling career and a brief, controversial stint in the UFC, the 41-year-old former champion spent much of 2025 fighting for his life. After a severe case of pneumonia led to a double lung transplant in June 2025, he is now on a long road to recovery—and, remarkably, planning a return to competitive wrestling.
Askren’s professional MMA record stands at 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest. He held welterweight titles in both Bellator and ONE Championship before retiring from mixed martial arts in 2019. Yet his legacy extends far beyond the cage, rooted in an extraordinary amateur wrestling background that includes two NCAA national championships and an appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
What Is Ben Askren’s MMA and UFC Record?
Benjamin Michael Askren
Funky
July 18, 1984 (age 41)
5’10” / 170 lbs (77 kg)
19-2-0 (1 NC)
1-2-0 (1 NC)
University of Missouri
2008 Olympian (USA)
- Ben Askren retired from MMA in 2019 but remains active in combat sports as a coach and boxer.
- In 2025, Ben Askren faced a serious health scare with pneumonia but is recovering.
- His UFC run (1-2) is one of the most debated in recent history due to the controversial Jorge Masvidal flying knee KO.
- Ben Askren’s legacy is defined more by his collegiate and Olympic wrestling than his UFC career.
- He remains a prominent figure in the grappling community and runs a podcast/channel.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| MMA Association | Roufusport |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Reach | 73 inches |
| Submission Wins | 6 (all via guillotine) |
| First Pro Fight | 2009 |
| Last Pro Fight | 2019 (vs Demian Maia) |
| Active Years | 2009–2019 |
| Current Status | Retired (MMA), Active (Boxing, Coaching) |
Askren’s professional record includes 6 wins by knockout, 6 by submission, and 7 by decision, according to USA Today. His UFC stint was brief: he went 1–2 (with one no-contest) across three fights between 2019 and 2020. That run included a famous debut win over Robbie Lawler and a notorious 14-second boxing loss to Jake Paul. He also holds a win over Belal Muhammad via TKO.
Is Ben Askren Still Alive? What Happened in 2024–2025?
Yes, Ben Askren is alive. However, his health situation in 2025 was extremely serious. In early June 2025, he was hospitalized in Wisconsin with severe pneumonia resulting from a staph infection, placing him in critical condition on a ventilator and ECMO system, as reported by the New York Post.
On June 30, 2025, his wife Amy announced via social media that Askren had received a double lung transplant. CNN confirmed the report. Before the transplant, Askren stated publicly that he had “died four times,” according to the Economic Times. He was discharged from the hospital on July 22, 2025, after a 59-day stay. At the time, he had lost 50 pounds and had only regained the ability to open his eyes and squeeze hands while still on life support in mid-June.
As of early 2026, sources describe Askren’s progress as moving in a “positive direction.” Lingering speech difficulties remain, but his recovery is expected to accelerate. He was released from the hospital on July 22, 2025, after a 59-day stay.
What is Ben Askren’s next fight?
Remarkably, Askren is scheduled to wrestle former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad on July 18, 2026, at RAF 11 in Milwaukee. The Athletic reports that the event is a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match. Muhammad, who holds a 30–5 MMA record, is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert.
Where Did Ben Askren Go to College?
Askren attended the University of Missouri, where he wrestled from 2003 to 2007. He became a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion in 2006 and 2007, according to The Straits Times. His collegiate record was 153–8, and he holds an 87-match winning streak. He ranks third in NCAA history with 91 pins.
Askren is also a two-time winner of the Hodge Trophy (2006 and 2007), making him the first wrestler ever to win the award twice. He was a three-time Big 12 Conference Champion and a four-time All-American. Internationally, he represented the U.S. at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in freestyle wrestling, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals. He also won gold at the 2005 Pan American Games and the 2009 World Championships.
The exact meaning of “RAF” in the context of Ben Askren is unclear from public data. It appears to refer to “Real American Freestyle,” a wrestling event brand. It is not a military reference and is not related to the Royal Air Force.
Who Did Ben Askren Lose To in the UFC?
Askren lost twice inside the UFC octagon. His first loss came at UFC 239 on July 6, 2019, when Jorge Masvidal knocked him out with a flying knee just five seconds into the first round. It remains one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history. His second loss was a submission defeat to Demian Maia in October 2019, after which Askren announced his retirement from MMA.
The Masvidal loss, combined with the controversial nature of his win over Robbie Lawler in his debut, made his UFC tenure one of the most debated in recent history. Askren also lost a boxing match to Jake Paul in April 2021, a knockout that lasted 14 seconds. He did not lose to Belal Muhammad; their 2019 fight ended in a TKO win for Askren.
Ben Askren Career Timeline
- 2004–2008: Collegiate wrestling at University of Missouri, 2x NCAA Champion.
- 2008: U.S. Olympic Team, competed in Beijing Olympics (freestyle wrestling).
- 2009: Professional MMA debut (won).
- 2010–2013: Bellator Welterweight Champion (multiple title defenses).
- 2014–2017: ONE Championship Welterweight Champion, moved to ONE.
- 2018: Traded to UFC from ONE Championship.
- 2019 (July 6): UFC debut win vs Robbie Lawler (controversial quick stoppage).
- 2019 (July 6): UFC 239: Lost to Jorge Masvidal via flying knee KO (5 seconds).
- 2019 (Oct): UFC Fight Night: Lost to Demian Maia via submission; announced retirement.
- 2020–2024: Boxing exhibitions, coaching, podcasting.
- 2025: Hospitalization for pneumonia; double lung transplant; recovery.
Established Information and Open Questions
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ben Askren was born July 18, 1984. | Exact details of his pneumonia timeline in 2025 are not publicly verified beyond social media reports. |
| Ben Askren wrestled in the 2008 Olympics. | Future plans for 2026 are speculative; no official fight announcements or new career moves confirmed. |
| Ben Askren’s official MMA record is 19-2 (1 NC). | Details regarding his personal life (wife, children) are not extensively documented in primary sources. |
| Ben Askren fought Belal Muhammad (win via TKO, 2019). | Rumors of a permanent move to the UK (RAF reference) are unsubstantiated. |
| Ben Askren retired from MMA in 2019 after loss to Demian Maia. | |
| Ben Askren had a serious pneumonia health scare in 2025 and received a double lung transplant. |
What Does Ben Askren’s Career Mean in Context?
Ben Askren’s MMA career is a textbook example of how elite wrestling credentials do not always translate to top-tier MMA success. His UFC tenure was brief but historically significant due to the Masvidal KO—the fastest in UFC history—and the controversy surrounding the Lawler fight.
The “Ben Askren pneumonia” query spiked in early 2025, indicating public concern for his health and the continued relevance of his legacy. His collegiate and international wrestling achievements (NCAA champion, two-time Hodge Trophy winner, Olympian) place him among the most accomplished American wrestlers to ever transition to MMA.
What Do Official Sources Say?
“Benjamin Michael Askren (born July 18, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer and Olympic wrestler.”
— Wikipedia
“Record: 19-2-0 (1 NC)”
— UFC Stats
“AGE 41 / Jul 18, 1984 HEIGHT 5’10” / 177.8 cm WEIGHT 170 lbs”
— Sherdog
What’s the Bottom Line on Ben Askren in 2026?
Ben Askren remains a significant figure in combat sports. His career record is well-documented, his health crisis in 2025 was severe but he is recovering, and he has a scheduled wrestling return against Belal Muhammad in July 2026. His story, from NCAA champion to Bellator and ONE titleholder to a life-saving lung transplant, is one of resilience. Those interested in the fastest knockouts in UFC history can learn more about the Jorge Masvidal flying knee KO that ended Askren’s UFC tenure in five seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ben Askren’s nickname?
His nickname is “Funky.”
How tall is Ben Askren?
Ben Askren is 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm) tall according to Sherdog.
Did Ben Askren ever win a UFC title?
No, Ben Askren did not win a UFC title. He was champion in Bellator and ONE Championship.
Is Ben Askren married?
Ben Askren is married, but details on his spouse are not widely publicized.
How fast did Ben Askren lose to Jorge Masvidal?
The knockout occurred in 5 seconds into the first round at UFC 239.
What is Ben Askren doing now in 2025?
He is recovering from pneumonia and remains active in combat sports coaching and media.
What does ‘RAF’ mean regarding Ben Askren?
The exact meaning is unclear from public data; it appears to be a personal brand or inside joke, not a military reference.
What is Ben Askren’s overall MMA record?
His professional MMA record is 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest.
Did Ben Askren fight Belal Muhammad?
Yes, Askren defeated Belal Muhammad by TKO in 2019.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.