Former UFC fighter, Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren has a long road of recovery ahead of him. He was released from the hospital last week after 59 days during which he had a double lung transplant.
Askren battled for his life, dying four times but survived. The illness and surgery have ravaged “Funky” physically. The 41 year-old struggles to do five-pound curls and is unable to walk without assistance.
On Saturday, a frail Askren shared an inspirational message on social media and provided a health update.
“At home for four days now. It’s awesome. Sleep in my own bed. Eat my own food. Hand out with my family. It’s great,” Askren said in the video post.
“That being said, I’ve still go so many physical challenges to deal with. I’m still down about 35 pounds from where I should be. I’ve got to walk with a walker. I can’t walk. I can’t walk. This five-pound weight, it’s actually hard for me to curl.”
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Askren’s climb back will be a long and grueling process but he’s embracing the challenge.
“I am where I am right now, but I’m going to be somewhere different in a month,” he said. “I’m going to work my ass off. I’m going to get better, so why can’t you too? What are you waiting for? Right?
“There’s barely anybody in the world in as low of a physical condition as me right now. I can’t walk without using a walker and do a five-pound curl. It’s pathetic. I totally understand that, but it doesn’t matter where we’re starting. I’m going to finish somewhere different. And so some of you guys who aren’t getting started, get your butt movin. Get started. I’ve got one way to go. I think you do too. Let’s make it happen.”
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