Ben Askren has praised Jake Paul and Dana White after he 'died four times' in a terrifying health scare.
The former MMA fighter underwent a double lung transplant after he developed pneumonia from a bacterial infection.
Askren explained in an Instagram video that he lost 22.7kg in just 45 days while he was in hospital. He added: "I actually just read through my wife's journal because I don't remember anything from May 28th to July 2nd. No recollection. No idea what happened.
"I just read through the journal and it's like a movie. So, I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. I was actually on the scale yesterday, 147lb. I haven't been 147lb since I was 15 years old."
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Askren spent several weeks in hospital battling severe pneumonia, as his lungs became so badly damaged that he required a double lung transplant.
His situation led to those involved with combat sports issuing an appeal for public donations to cover the medical bill. Among those to issue public appeals calling for donations towards Askren's recovery were Paul and White.
Among those who donated generously were YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul and UFC boss White. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Askren was quick to thank the pair and the public for their help.
He said: "Jake Paul and Dana White both donated and were very generous.
"I don't expect anything out of him, if they don't want to, they don't want to, it's their money, they should be able to do what they want with it.
"And I'm grateful that they felt generous enough but then also we don't want to talk about it too much because there was more than a thousand people that made some donations.
"10 thousand dollar for someone whose got many millions, versus 25 dollars for someone that doesn't have anything, that's just as big of a burden on that person.
"We had so many people that were really really generous. Those guys were both generous, it's almost funny when it comes from, I don't know if you call them enemies, just people you haven't seen eye to eye with.
"But that brings out the good side in humanity I think."
Askren retired from mixed martial arts in 2019, but briefly returned to the spotlight for a boxing fight in 2021 against Paul.
In the build-up to the bout, White declared that he would bet $1 million on Askren to win.
But in a surprise outcome, Askren was knocked out in just one minute and 59 seconds of the first round.
Topics: Ben Askren, Jake Paul, Dana White, MMA, UFC
James Taylor