UFC veteran Ben Askren remains at the heart of a global outpouring of concern and support, as the former fighter-turned-analyst continues to fight for his life. The former ONE titleholder is reportedly battling a severe case of pneumonia, which struck him “very suddenly.” Initially, ‘Funky’ had already been hospitalized before the news became public, with his family choosing to keep the matter private in the early stages. His wife, Amy, reportedly didn’t want to share the news immediately—especially due to the potential emotional impact on their children.

As a result, she asked the community to refrain from “discussing” the matter with the kids, which, in turn, prompted an overwhelming wave of support from fans and the wider sports world. Encouragingly, hope briefly shone through just two days ago when Amy posted a heartfelt message of gratitude to their supporters, “Feeling so incredibly thankful for our friends and community—it’s times like this that remind you how truly blessed you are. I feel God moving through the love and support we have received…” 

Confusion and sorrow quickly overshadowed that sense of optimism. In an unexpected twist, UFC middleweight fighter Caio Borralho made a startling statement that sent shockwaves through the MMA community. In a now-viral post, Borralho wrote, “R.I.P Ben Askren! Prayers for the family right now.”

However, the claim from the Fighting Nerds star was quickly proven to be false. UFC legend Daniel Cormier—who is also a close friend of Ben Askren—stepped in to shut down the rumors surrounding Funky’s death. Taking to social media to clear the air, ‘DC’ confirmed that the Wisconsin native is alive and recovering. “I wanna report to you guys that he’s now back home. He’s with his family. I cannot wait for the next ‘Funky and the Champ’ because we’ll talk about that so much more,” said Daniel Cormier.

While Ben Askren has returned home, his condition remains serious. Fans around the world continue to rally behind him, praying for a full recovery and looking forward to seeing him back on his podcast—and eventually, back on the mats.

UFC veteran reveals how Ben Askren’s staph infection led to pneumonia

Staph infections are on the rise in combat sports, especially in wrestling, MMA, and among grapplers. Recently, a number of UFC fighters, such as Merab Dvalishvili and Islam Makhachev, have experienced staph infections. These situations frequently arise from the dynamics of training in communal spaces, where elements such as direct skin contact, dirty mats, congested locker rooms, and inadequate hygiene habits play a role in the transmission.

During intense training sessions, fighters often grapple with each other, which sets the perfect stage for bacteria to flourish. Athletes should be cautious, as even a small cut or abrasion can allow Staphylococcus aureus to enter the body, resulting in an infection. Once inside, the bacteria can weaken the immune system, possibly leading to more severe health issues.

While staph infections are typically manageable if addressed promptly, neglecting them can lead to more serious complications. During a discussion on the Weighing In podcast, UFC veteran Josh Thomson provided an update regarding Ben Askren’s present state: “It seems he developed a staph infection, which subsequently resulted in pneumonia…” It clearly targeted the immune system. Then they went in for treatment, and it eventually developed into pneumonia,” Thomson explained.

With much of the speculation regarding Funky’s condition now clarified, we remain committed to respecting the privacy of the Askren family during this difficult period. As new updates come in, we’ll ensure to share them with precision and consideration. Keep an eye out for the newest updates.