“I will not feel sorry for myself”: Ben Askren reflects on health battle and lung transplant in emotional hospital update

Former professional American boxer and mixed martial artist Ben Askren has given an update about his health. It can be recalled that his wife Amy Askren announced that Ben had been diagnosed with severe pneumonia on June 7, 2025.

On July 12, 2025, Ben Askren took to his official Instagram to give an update on his health status. In a video which he captioned: “Quick update…I will not feel sorry for myself,” the 40-year-old sportsman talked about how he has been doing after receiving a double long transplant.

More details on Ben Askren’s health update

Ben Askren began the video by reading out a journal entry from his friend Amber.

“What's up, guys, wanted to give an update on how im doing. Everything is going pretty well. I got another tube out; I only have one tube left. And I wanted to make a reflection on where I was listening or not, though, which was Father’s Day. So I'll read you this journal entry. It's from our friend Amber. Uh, actually, I thought my wife wrote it. I was mistaken,” Ben Askren began.

“So there really hasn't been any big updates in the last few days. They have been trying to tinker with this addition and other things, but honestly, constantly changing part of the day, we think he's doing great. It's been very up and down. Whenever he wakes up, his oxygen levels have been dropping. What's happening is that his heart takes the blood and deosn't get directed to ECMO. Therefore, he doesn't get oxygen. They are helpful to start transplant evaluation this week.”

He talks about how far he has come since the transplant evaluation.

“So, that was a month ago that they wanted to start transplant evaluation. It feels like holy cr*p. Came a long way since then, and I just wanted to give one mental Mondayous message. And that was I felt guilty for myself one time. And that doesn't do anyone any good. And I thought I never smoked one cigarette. Never did any weed. Never did anything. So why did my lungs get stolen from me? Right? Why is this happening to someone who doesn't smoke habitually?”

Ben Askren added that he realised it had already happened, so he wasn't going to beat himself up about it anymore, and that going forward, he will strive to feel better.

“And then I realized it happened. It's over. It's done with. I could get bitter and angry. I could whine, cry. It's not going to help anybody. I am where I am now, and I'm going to move forward the best I can. So hope you guys are enjoying the updates. I will not feel sorry for myself.”

He ends the video with a hopeful message.

“I'm going to get out of here pretty soon, and I hope you guys have a great day. Peace.”

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Ben Askren’s severe pneumonia stemmed from a staph infection. On June 30, 2025, it was announced that Askren received a double lung transplant.

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