Former UFC fighter Ben Askren receives double lung transplant due to pneumonia battle, wife says

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren receives double lung transplant due to pneumonia battle, wife says

Former MMA star's wife expressed eternal gratitude to donor family as fighter continues to recover

Ben Askren stands in his corner prior to his welterweight bout against Demian Maia of Brazil during the UFC Fight Night event at Singapore Indoor Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Singapore. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Olympian Ben Askren points to the crowd as he enters the mat to face fellow Olympian and New Jersey native Jordan Burroughs (not pictured) during the Beat the Streets "Grapple at the Garden" on Monday, May 6, 2019, in New York. (Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com)

Ben Askren prepares to enter the Octagon prior to his welterweight bout against Demian Maia of Brazil during the UFC Fight Night event at Singapore Indoor Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Singapore. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)