UFC Fighter Baptized After Surviving Coma, Double Lung Transplant

Published: March 18, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren spent last summer in a coma for 45 days after he developed a severe case of pneumonia, resulting in a double lung transplant.

Nearly eight months after the surgery, Askren got baptized.

“I got baptized last weekend, it was even more special because I was able to do it with my wife!!” he wrote on Instagram last week. “Amy has always been a believer, and we have been going to church together for the last 16 years, and for the last 16 years, she has been praying for me to become a believer also.”

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While Askren was in the hospital, he accepted Christ as his Savior.

“Last summer that happened and it felt so good to be able to become the man that my wife had been praying for,” the former UFC fighter continued. “Last summer taught me a lot of things and a big one was that we are not guaranteed any more days here on earth. Every day I pray and thank God for giving me the chance to live another day. I have immense gratitude to be able to spend it with my family and friends. Thank you to everyone who pushed me in my faith and prayed for me. I plan on spending the rest of my days spreading the word of Jesus and helping as many people as I can.”

He came extremely close to dying, finally deciding to trust Jesus after he woke up from a coma.

“There was multiple times where they thought I was dead. Like I was dead, that’s the other side,” he told FloWrestling. “I woke up, and I just decided I was a Christian. So, that’s crazy.”

“I went with my wife to church for 15 years because that was part of the deal. I said, ‘Well, I’m not Christian, but I’ll support you.’ And it was really weird when I woke up, I’m like, ‘I gotta do it.’ You know? So, that was kind of weird,” he added. “[I have] so much gratitude for everyone who’s helped out. So many people have donated money, watched our kids, donated food, a lot of friends come and hang out with me – just so much gratitude for being around me.”

Amy first announced her husband’s condition last June, asking fans for prayers.

“We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now,” she said at the time.

Praise God for how He answered so many prayers and brought Askren into a personal relationship with Him.

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