Ben Askren’s most recent update on Instagram is a post that was made last month. Weeks later, its comment section has been filled by concerned fans who are wishing him well after he had been hospitalized with a serious staph infection and severe pneumonia. But it all started after Pat Mineo of The Wrestling Room revealed Askren’s health issues on Saturday, and this was followed by Chael Sonnen’s update. “Ben is alive and prayers are wanted. Family choosing privacy at this time,” he wrote on X. Then there was Askren’s wife, Amy, who urged fans to pray for his quick recovery.

Askren’s health scare became so big that even Dillon Danis, his long-term rival, showed concern and mentioned, “I heard the news before it hit the media about Ben Askren. It’s a lot more serious than people think. No matter how bad our beef might’ve been, he’s a great coach and a family man. Praying he pulls through this.” Danis, who called ‘Funky’ a “simp” and threatened to “suplex” him back in 2019, acknowledged his rival’s greatness.

Amidst the chaos, Askren’s close friend has stepped forward to share an update on his condition. Taking to his Instagram handle, Rafael Lovato Jr. uploaded a photo of himself with Askren. He captioned the post with a heartfelt message for his friend. “Please keep @benaskren & his family in your thoughts & prayers.

“I know a lot of you have heard the news about Ben’s health & many of you have been commenting on my video with Coach Askren from a few weeks ago sending your best wishes. This kind of stuff hits different now with having a family & I was literally just on the mats with him… He is a warrior & if anyone can fight this, he can!”

Both athletes would sometimes spar together, and remember Aksren’s last Instagram update? Well, it was a sparring video with Lovato Jr., so they share a deep mutual respect as elites of the combat sports world. Witnessing the ordeal of his friend, Lovato Jr. couldn’t help but ask his fanbase to pray for Askren during these difficult times.

While he is now suffering from a severe case of pneumonia following a dangerous staph infection, Ben Askren had recently signed with Real American Freestyle—a new wrestling promotion launched by WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan and former WWE and WCW executive Eric Bischoff. Had circumstances been different, fans might have seen him return to action soon. But now, all we can do is hope for his recovery, as the entire combat sports community rallies to send prayers and well-wishes to the former UFC star.

MMA community unites to pray for Ben Askren!

Ben Askren’s career has been impactful across the entire combat sports landscape. Despite his struggles in the UFC, he captured championship titles in both Bellator and ONE Championship. In addition to that, he was a member of the U.S. wrestling team at the 2008 Olympics. A former two-time NCAA wrestling champion, Askren boasts one of the most impressive résumés in combat sports, excluding his UFC tenure.

As he continues to battle for his life in the hospital, the entire MMA community has come together to pray for Ben Askren. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, took to his X handle to offer some word of relief for Askren and his family, “Praying for @Benaskren.”

Furthermore, we have former UFC fighter Chris Weidman, who wrote, “Prayers out to @Benaskren and his family !!” Even Henry Cejudo took to X and wrote, “Pray for Ben Askren.”

These are just some of the big names within the organization who have come forward to pray for Ben Askren.  Apart from them, there are tons of wishes for Askren from others in the community as well as countless fans from across the spectrum of promotions and competitions.