Ben Askren has significantly impacted the careers of many top fighters, and Bellator champion Corey Anderson recently detailed just how crucial Askren was to his life, both inside and outside the cage.
Legendary former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion Askren recently underwent a double lung transplant after battling pneumonia.
From figures like Dana White to Jake Paul, Askren received widespread support from the combat sports community. According to the latest social media updates from his wife, Amy, he appears to be on the path to recovery.
Corey Anderson`s heartfelt tribute to Ben Askren
Corey Anderson is a popular fan favorite who came close to a UFC title shot before moving to Bellator, where he secured the world championship last year. With a strong wrestling background, he initially met Ben Askren through the sport.
In a recent interview with Damon Martin of MMAFighting, Anderson explained the profound influence the Olympian had on his career and life: “Not just my career but my life – my life wouldn’t be what it was if it wasn’t for Ben.”
“That’s not just competing. That’s my life. I met my wife because of Ben Askren. I have two beautiful kids. I have a wife. I’ve got a fight career. It’s kind of like everything I have in an adult life, it came because of Ben Askren.”
“Because this guy invited me to an MMA gym and the day I walked into an MMA gym, my wife was working behind the desk that day. That’s when I first met her. Years later we ended up starting a relationship and then she moved here.”
Ben Askren received his double lung transplant
A positive update came last week from Amy Askren, the former UFC star`s wife, who confirmed he had received a double lung transplant. The costly surgery was not covered by their insurance, but the family received considerable support from the fight world through online donations.
“We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant,” she wrote in a post on her Instagram story. “We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift.”
“It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly. Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own.”
“I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can’t wait to tell Ben all about it. I’m hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off.”
