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The wife of UFC middleweight and welterweight fighter Ben Askren has provided a harrowing update on his condition as the Iowa native continues battling a severe case of pneumonia.
Back on June 7, Askren was hospitalized due to 'severe pneumonia' stemming from a staph infection which left him in critical condition and on a ventilator.
On Tuesday, Askren's wife Amy posted to Facebook, saying that he is on the transplant list to try to find new lungs.
'As of late last night, Ben is officially on the transplant list,' Amy's update read. 'Please pray he can get stronger and stay stable without complications while he waits, and that they find an amazing match for him and he accepts it smoothly.'
Amy added, 'It's going to be a huge adjustment for Ben, but our family is so thankful that his other organs are ok and that there is a path forward.
'While he is having more periods of awareness, he's not able to look at his phone yet and respond to messages. I am hoping he can get there in the next week or two!'
Former UFC fighter and boxer Ben Askren is on the transplant list in the hopes of receiving new lungs as he continues to battle severe pneumonia stemming from a staph infection
His wife, Amy, posted the news while saying that 'he is having more periods of awareness'
Additionally, Ben cannot speak yet - but there is hope for him to do so 'while on a trach'.
Amy also revealed that her husband was mouthing a request for coffee (which he cannot have) and that it provided 'a huge relief to see him asking for something so normal.'
It's a sign of improvement after false reports circulated last week that Askren had died.
Instead, he was alive, but unresponsive after being transferred to his home town in Wisconsin to continue treatment.
Amy provided an update on his concerning condition at the time, saying he was bed-bound in care.
She revealed earlier this week that her husband remains in hospital on a ventilator.
'His body can't handle coming off sedation too much yet,' she posted on Facebook.
'I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for a lung transplant.'
Ben Askren remains in hospital and requires a life-saving lung transplant
Dana White shared the link to the fundraising page with his 10million followers on Instagram
Askren, pictured here with his wife Amy and their three children, is still fighting for his life
UFC CEO White is hopeful kind-hearted UFC fans will be able to donate, and he shared the link to the fundraiser with his 10.5million Instagram followers.
'Click the link to help Ben Askren,' White said.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the cost of a lung transplant in the United States ranges from $300,000 (£222,915) to $400,000 (£297,220).
Askren retired from MMA in 2019 after a three-fight stint with the UFC.
He made his MMA debut in 2009 after a decorated collegiate wrestling career that saw him become a two-time NCAA division 1 champion.
The 2008 Olympian would go on a decade-long undefeated streak inside the cage, winning world titles in Bellator and ONE and was widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the world outside the UFC.
Despite a fractious relationship with White, Askren would make his Octagon debut in 2019 after a trade deal involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
Askren was rushed to hospital earlier this month and was placed on a ventilator
Amy shared an update on social media and revealed that there are 'good days and bad'
After defeating Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut, Askren suffered back-to-back losses against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before announcing his retirement.
Despite undergoing major hip surgery after hanging up his gloves, Askren later returned to competition, losing to Jake Paul via first-round TKO in a boxing match.
He married his wife in 2010 and they share three children, two daughters and a son.
