On Saturday, June 7, 2025, it was announced that the former UFC fighter Ben Askren was hospitalized. Ben’s wife, Amy, broke the news about his hospitalization after rumors swirled online about his health. In a post to her Facebook page, Amy stated that he had recently developed a severe case of pneumonia. She also stated that “He is currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.”
Amy then asked for prayers for Ben and their children, and for fans to respect their privacy during this period. “We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.” She wrote online. Ben Askren married his wife, Amy, in 2010. The couple have three children.
Ben Askren has become a Lake Country legend. Known internationally for being an accomplished mixed martial artist, professional boxer, and Olympic wrestler, he is also a midwesterner. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but moved to Wisconsin when he was young. Ben grew up in Hartland, where his father’s influence encouraged his love of wrestling. Ben attended Arrowhead high school, where he won two different WIAA state championships.
In April of 2011, the Askren Wrestling Academy was opened. Its team of coaches encourages young wrestlers to achieve greatness through building up strength and endurance. There are currently six locations, one of which is located in Hartland on West North Shore Drive. The other five are spread throughout the state, including Green Bay, Madison, Franklin, and the North Shore. After Ben’s collegiate and coaching career, he moved back to Wisconsin to help coach at AWA as well as Roufusport MMA. The academy is a powerful symbol of how the athlete has worked tirelessly to remain involved in the community that helped shape him during his youth.
Talks about Ben’s illness began after Pat Mineo, founder of the Podcast “The Wrestling Room”, posted about his condition on Saturday. “Wrestling community, we need to pray for and rally around Ben Askren who is in critical condition and battling a severe staph infection.” Wrote Mineo.
