Ben Askren

One name comes to mind when you consider wrestlers who defied convention, dared to be unique, and shaped the sport in their own way: Ben Askren. A two-time NCAA champion, Olympian, MMA world champion, coach, and one of the most significant wrestling figures of his time, Askren is affectionately referred to by his fans as “Funky.” His tale is one of ingenuity, tenacity, and defiance of conventional norms. Ben Askren’s story teaches wrestlers, parents, and coaches valuable lessons that go well beyond the mat.at.

Early Life and Wrestling Roots

Ben Askren was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 18, 1984. He grew up in Wisconsin, which has a long history of wrestling. He loved sports from a young age, but he also had a different way of looking at them than other people. He was interested in wrestling not just because it was demanding on his body, but also because it let him be creative and solve problems. 

Askren wasn’t the biggest or fastest athlete on the mat, but he had something that couldn’t be measured: a different way of looking at wrestling. Instead of sticking to the traditional plays, he tried out strange positions, weird scrambles, and movements that most people wouldn’t ever think about trying. These unusual techniques would later become his signature style.

College Career: Building the Funk Legacy

Askren went to the University of Missouri and became the face of the Tigers wrestling team. Brian Smith was Askren’s head coach, and he helped him become one of the best college wrestlers of all time.

• Four-time NCAA Finalist (2004–2007)
• Two-time NCAA Champion (2006, 2007)
• Two-time Dan Hodge Trophy Winner (the Heisman of wrestling)
• 153–8 career record
• 91 career pins—one of the highest in NCAA history

It wasn’t simply his record of wins that stood out; it was how he won. Askren made wrestling like chess. He made it hard for his opponents to win by scrambling, riding them with constant control, and often pinning some of the toughest competitors in the country to end contests.

Fans loved him, crowds roared for him, and opponents were scared to face him because they couldn’t prepare for his “funky” approach.

The Olympic Dream

After graduation, Askren wanted to go to the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a 74 kg athlete for the United States. He won the U.S. Olympic Trials and got a seat on the team. Askren’s Olympic trip ended sooner than he had hoped when he lost in the second round to Cuban champion Iván Fundora. However, his appearance in the international arena inspired many future wrestlers. 

Askren may not have won the medal he wanted in the Olympics, but he had already shown that his style of wrestling could make it to the largest platform in the world.

MMA Stardom: Wrestling Beyond the Mat

After the Olympics, Askren moved on to mixed martial arts (MMA), a discipline where wrestling skills are frequently the most important. Askren soon rose to the top, much like he did in wrestling. 

• Bellator Welterweight Champion (2009–2013)
• ONE Championship Welterweight Champion (2014–2017)
• Undefeated streak of 19–0 before joining the UFC

He was almost impossible to beat in MMA because of his wrestling background. He easily dominated his opponents on the ground, putting them under constant pressure until they couldn’t breathe. Some said his technique was inferior to strikers’, but purists saw it as pure wrestling supremacy.

Askren entered the UFC in 2019 and fought in one of the most exciting fights of the year. Even though his time in the UFC was short and includes the iconic five-second knockout by Jorge Masvidal, Askren was still one of the most talked-about people in the sport.

The Coach and Mentor

Ben Askren’s legacy isn’t simply what he did for himself; it’s also what he does for the sport. He and his brother Max started the Askren Wrestling Academy (AWA) in Wisconsin. The academy has become a major force in youth and high school wrestling, turning out state champions, NCAA athletes, and future stars. 

Askren’s way of coaching is similar to how he got into wrestling. He tells youngsters to be creative, take chances, and find their style instead of just following what others do. He tells wrestlers and their parents that the sport isn’t just about winning matches; it’s also about building character, strength, and self-assurance.

Lessons for Wrestler Moms and Families

Parents of young wrestlers can learn a lot from Ben Askren’s career:

• Individuality Matters – Askren did well because he didn’t wrestle like everyone else. Even if they don’t fit the mold, tell your child to appreciate their particular abilities. 
• Perseverance is Key – Askren always came back stronger after losing either the NCAA or the Olympics. Kids learn that losses are just transitory steps in wrestling. 
• Wrestling Builds Lifelong Skills – Askren’s history in wrestling affected his way of thinking and working, whether he was in MMA, coaching, or business. Your child’s journey in wrestling will do the same. 
• Enjoy the Process – Winning is nice, but what makes the sport truly special is embracing the grind, enjoying the innovation, and being part of the community.

The Funky Legacy

Ben Askren is more than simply a former champion these days. He was a pioneer who showed that wrestling isn’t only about following the rules; it’s also a place to try new things. Askren has made a difference at every level of the sport, from college mats to the Olympics, from MMA cages to youth wrestling gyms. 

He left more than just medals and victories behind. It’s in the kids who try a quirky scramble at practice, the parents who shout for effort as much as win, and the coaches who tell their wrestlers that it’s acceptable to be different. 

Ben Askren is a great example of what makes wrestling so great: hard effort, inventiveness, resilience, and the bravery to be yourself.

Health Update: A Battle Beyond the Ring

Earlier this year, life threw an unimaginable curveball at Askren. A sudden bout of severe pneumonia and a staph infection escalated quickly, necessitating hospitalization in June 2025. He was placed on ventilator support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as his lungs failed—then, on June 24, he underwent a double-lung transplant.ESPN.comWikipedia

On July 9, Askren shared a haunting update from his hospital bed: he had “died four times,” with his heart flatlining for twenty seconds each time, and had no memories from May 28 to July 2—events he later pieced together from his wife Amy’s journal. During his ~45-day hospital stay, he lost over 50 pounds, dropping to just 147 lbs, a weight he hadn’t seen since his teenage years.People.comDiario ASWikipedia

After nearly 59 days under care, Askren was finally discharged and returned home. He shared an emotional video from the passenger seat of his car—grateful, reflective, and visibly shaken. His wife confirmed just how close he had come to death on multiple occasions.The Times of IndiaThe Scottish SunTalksport

Physically, he’s still rebuilding. As of late July, he admitted he cannot walk unaided and relies on a walker, and even curling a 5-lb weight was a major effort. Yet his spirit was undeterred. “I am where I am,” he said, “but I’m going to be somewhere different in a month.”Bloody ElbowThe Scottish Sun

More recently, on August 16, 2025, he was seen playing disc golf with his longtime friend and podcast co-host Daniel Cormier—a powerful sign that his recovery is progressing, one step (literally) at a time.The Times of India

Askren has been incredibly thankful for everything, including the donor, every prayer and message, and the community that came together to help him. His medical experience has become another part of his legacy—one of optimism, kindness from others, and strong willpower.