Askren transitioned to MMA after an amateur wrestling career that saw him represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He quickly found success in the cage after winning the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament before capturing the welterweight title in 2010.'

Former U.S. Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren shared an emotional update for the first time since undergoing lung transplant surgery.

The multi-time MMA champion said he lost 50 pounds in a 45-day period as he fought for his life in a Wisconsin hospital.