MMA star Ben Askren says he 'died 4 times' and received double lung transplant

Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren is opening up about his recent, serious health issues, including that he “died four times“ and underwent a double lung transplant

Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren is opening up about his recent, serious health issues, including that he “died four times“ and underwent a double lung transplant.

In an Instagram video posted July 9, he explained that he experienced the ordeal between May 28 and July 2 and does not remember anything from that time period.

“I actually read through my wife’s journal because ... (I have) no recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened,” he in a video of him in a hospital bed.

“It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. So I only died four times, or the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,” he continued. “That’s not ideal. You guys know that, but I got the double lung transplant. I made it to the other side of it, gaining quite a bit of strength. We’re going to use everything again.”

Askren has been in a Wisconsin hospital with pneumonia, the Associated Press reported. He coughed and struggled at times to speak in the video, where he said he’s lost 50 pounds over the span of 45 days.