Ex-ufc Star Ben Askren Says He 'only Died 4 Times' As He Battled Harrowing Illness

Former MMA prima Ben Askren provided a wellness update much than a period aft he was hospitalized pinch a terrible unwellness that required a double lung transplant.

Askren posted a video to societal media from his infirmary furniture connected Wednesday. He said he didn’t retrieve thing from May 28 to July 2.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

UFC combatant Ben Askren waits for nan commencement of a middleweight mixed martial arts bout betwixt David Branch and Jared Cannonier astatine UFC 230 successful New York connected Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

"It was for illustration a movie," he said, adding that he publication done his wife’s diary to drawback up connected what had happened to him. "I only died 4 times, wherever nan ticker stopped for astir 20 seconds.

"But I sewage nan double lung transplant. I made it retired to nan different broadside of it. Gaining rather a spot of strength. Learning to usage everything again. I was connected nan standard yesterday, 147 pounds. I haven’t been 147 pounds since 15 years old. … So, that was a battle. I don’t retrieve astir of it."

Amy Askren wrote past week that her hubby received a philanthropist for nan double lung transplant aft falling sick successful May.

CONOR MCGREGOR SUGGESTS INTEREST IN COMPETING IN WHITE HOUSE UFC FIGHT: 'COUNT ME IN'

Ben Askren stands successful his area anterior to his welterweight bout against Demian Maia of Brazil during nan UFC Fight Night arena astatine Singapore Indoor Stadium connected Oct. 26, 2019 successful Singapore. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

"The point that was astir impactful to maine was each nan emotion I felt from everybody and it was almost for illustration I sewage to beryllium astatine my ain ceremonial … The outpouring of emotion from nan wrestling organization was conscionable amazing," he said. "It felt truthful good. I’m much motivated than ever to springiness back."

Askren precocious signed with Real American Freestyle – nan Hulk Hogan task hoping to popularize master freestyle wrestling.

The 40-year-old was an NCAA champion successful nan 170-pound section successful 2006 and 2007 and went connected to compete for Team USA successful nan 2008 Olympics. He won golden medals astatine nan 2005 Pan American Championships and nan 2009 World Championships.

He made his afloat modulation to MMA fighting erstwhile he debuted successful Bellator successful 2010. He past competed successful ONE Championship earlier taking connected nan UFC.

Ben Askren during UFC 235 astatine T-Mobile Arena. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He defeated Robbie Lawler via submission astatine UFC 235 earlier he mislaid to Jorge Masvidal successful a high-profile bout. In 2021, he fought Jake Paul successful a boxing match.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to nan Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.