Former UFC Fighter Ben Askren, 40, Hospitalized with ‘Severe Pneumonia’ and ‘Unable to Respond,’ Wife Amy Says

Ben Askren has been hospitalized pinch a terrible illness. 

On Saturday, June, 7, Ben’s woman Amy announced successful a Facebook post that nan erstwhile MMA fighter, 40, is presently successful infirmary aft processing “severe pneumonia.” She asked for prayers arsenic Ben is presently not responsive to treatment.

“You whitethorn person heard that my hubby Ben is going done something,” Amy wrote. “He developed terrible pneumonia, which came connected very suddenly. He’s presently successful nan infirmary and incapable to respond to thing astatine this time.”

“We invited each prayers for treatment and for peace. We are trying to support life arsenic normal arsenic imaginable for our children presently and doing our champion to support them thoughtfully truthful please refrain from discussing it pinch them for now,” concluded nan post. 

Ben and Amy person been joined since 2010 and stock 3 children, according to ESPN.

Amy’s station was shared aft wrestling insider Pat Mineo posted astir Ben’s information connected X Saturday. 

“Wrestling community, we request to believe for and rally astir @BenAskren who is successful captious information and battling a terrible staph infection 🙏🏻,” wrote Mineo, adding, “He is besides battling terrible pneumonia, prayers needed!!!”

During his MMA career, Ben achieved 12 consecutive MMA wins and won welterweight titles successful Bellator MMA and One Championship, earlier retiring from nan athletics successful 2019. The erstwhile MMA champion was besides a personnel of Team USA successful nan 2008 Olympics, per ESPN and BVM Sports. 

In 2019, nan two-time NCAA wrestling champion transitioned into UFC and successful his debut fight, secured a grounds 1-2 triumph complete Robbie Lawler, per BVM Sports. 

In 2021, Askren fought against Jake Paul successful nan societal media star's 3rd profession lucifer for which he earned $690,000, according to CBS Sports. Paul, 28, defeated Askren successful a method knockout 1 infinitesimal and 59 seconds into nan first round.

Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's free regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected nan champion of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy personage news to compelling quality liking stories. 

Ben’s unwellness comes a period aft he announced successful a video posted connected Instagram that he had signed pinch nan caller wrestling promotion institution Real American Freestyle, co-founded by retired WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.

“I conscionable vanished signing my Real American Freestyle contract,” Ben said. “I’ve been waiting to wrestle. I benignant of miss competition. I emotion fighting but I don't person clip for that anymore … I'm going to whip immoderate of these young whippersnappers, show them what nan f--- it's each about.”

The erstwhile MMA champion noted successful nan clip that he is excited to participate successful much fights nether nan institution successful nan fall.

PEOPLE has reached retired to Ben’s representatives for comment.