Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has received a "double lung transplant" after being hospitalised with "severe pneumonia".
Askren, 40, retired from MMA in 2019 after a short stint in the UFC.
Earlier this month, Askren was admitted to hospital in Wisconsin and placed on ventilator and put on the transplant list.
His wife, Amy, wrote on Facebook that her husband was "completely healthy just five weeks ago".
"We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift," she said.
"I'm hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off."
Askren developed pneumonia after suffering from staph infection and on Saturday, Jake Paul made a public plea for donations to be made for his recovery. Paul beat Askren in a boxing match in 2021.
Askren is considered one of the best American wrestlers of his generation and was a welterweight champion in Bellator and ONE Championship.
