In his first update since his life-saving surgery, Askren said he had no memories from May 28 through July 2 but is starting to recover.

Askren transitioned to MMA after an amateur wrestling career that saw him represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He quickly found success in the cage after winning the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament before capturing the welterweight title in 2010.'

Olympic wrestler and former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia.