Ben “Funky” Askren, a former MMA fighter who had a dominant stretch in the 2010s, is currently in the hospital while dealing with several illnesses.
Amy Askren, Ben’s wife, revealed the information on social media amid viral speculation about Askren’s health. The 40-year-old hasn’t fought professionally since 2019, outside of one boxing match with Jake Paul in 2021.
Here’s the latest on Askren’s status.
What happened to Ben Askren?
Ben Askren’s wife, Amy, revealed on social media that her husband had been hospitalized with a “severe” case of pneumonia that “came on very sudden,” along with other illnesses
“He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time,” she said. “We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace.
Update on Ben Askren pic.twitter.com/74uk2xeDW4
— Mark Bader (@MarkSBader) June 8, 2025
Amy Askren mentioned that she hasn’t yet told her kids about their father’s condition to try and keep their lives as “normal as possible.” The couple have three children together.
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Ben Askren wrestling and MMA career highlights
Askren began his MMA career 19-0-1 over a 10-year span before losing his final two matches. He also fought and won 12-straight title fights to begin his career, which…
