Ben Askren Has Joe Rogan and UFC Stars Concerned, Back in Hospital After Wife Reveals “Generous Birthday Gift”

It was meant to be a meaningful gift to lift his spirits. Ben Askren‘s wife, Amy, posted on Instagram that some well-wishers had surprised ‘Funky’ with a garage makeover to help him kickstart his home rehabilitation. However, just hours later, the hopeful mood has shifted. Askren is back in the hospital and has posted an update from his hospital bed, leaving fans and fellow fighters concerned about his status.

In a recent Instagram video, Askren calmly informed that doctors didn’t like the look of one of his chest tubes and suspected an infection. “They didn’t like the way my last chest tube looked. Thought it was infected. They put me on antibiotics… hopefully we get this solved,” he said. While attempting to remain collected, he referred to the “Stockdale Paradox,” a mindset of maintaining faith through brutal reality.

Even in the midst of this difficult situation, Askren’s community continues to rally behind him. Amy Askren wrote a heartfelt Instagram post about how their friends at Excel Concrete Coatings helped surprise her husband with a birthday gift that hit near to home: a brand-new garage floor. But this wasn’t simply a garage remodel.

It was the first step toward creating a rehab gym where Ben Askren could practice and rehabilitate in a familiar environment. “I always wanted to surprise Ben with a refinished garage,” she wrote in the caption, “but with everything going on this summer, that wasn’t an option. Excel stepped up and did this as a gift for Ben coming home.”

Unfortunately, it looks like ‘Funky’ will need some more time under supervision in the hospital before he gets to use his new garage gym. The news also shook the MMA community. UFC veterans and stars, including Laura Sanko, Frankie Edgar, Philip Rowe, Oban Elliott, and referee Mike Beltran, all commented on his post, while Joe Rogan quietly gave it a like, just enough to show he’s watching and undoubtedly concerned.

Whether it’s a small hiccup or something more serious, one thing is certain: Ben Askren isn’t walking this road alone. From surprise gifts to touching comments from the fight community, he has an army on his side. And to be honest, the man did need all the support that he could get. After all, it wasn’t just his lungs that suffered; it was also a mental battle for ‘Funky,’ as he revealed how his lung infection also led to memory loss.

Ben Askren shares details of his memory loss and medical failures

Ben Askren’s mental struggle was more than just about being positive; it was also about piecing together reality after waking up from a 45-day coma. He was in medical care for 59 days, and when he awoke, his recollection was all over the place. “There was no one else in my room, and I was like, ‘Oh s—! How did I get here?'” he recalled.

His initial concern was that he had done something irresponsible, such as smashing a car. That moment of bewilderment signaled the start of a slow journey back to clarity. Behind the scenes, his family had fought a chaotic battle to save him. ‘Funky’ had to be evacuated on a medical jet because Las Vegas lacked ECMO machines, which were vital to his survival.

Simply stabilizing him required two ECMO devices. Furthermore, insurance complications arose while he was asleep. It was more than just a medical issue; it was a logistical nightmare. As he recovered consciousness, Askren struggled to connect the dots. He couldn’t recall what had happened or what day it was. He attempted to recall recent occurrences in his head but fell short.

“I don’t remember anything after that,” he said. Only after a nurse and later his wife, Amy, filled him in did he realize the gravity of what he’d survived: a double-lung transplant, weeks on life support, and a second chance — one he doesn’t plan on wasting.