When Corey Anderson first crossed paths with Ben Askren, he was an accomplished college wrestler, though he had no inkling how significantly that meeting would shape his entire future.
Askren, a highly regarded two-time National Champion wrestler and 2008 Olympian, was impressed by Anderson`s competitive mindset and approach. He extended an invitation for Anderson to train with him and proposed that he consider a career in mixed martial arts. This guidance proved impactful; Anderson began training alongside Askren before eventually securing a spot on *The Ultimate Fighter* reality show. This appearance served as a crucial launchpad for his career, establishing him as a top light heavyweight fighter for the past decade, culminating in him being the final 205-pound champion in Bellator history.
Ben Askren is currently in the hospital, having recently undergone a double lung transplant following a severe bout of pneumonia. While his wife, Amy, has been providing regular updates on his condition, Anderson admits that witnessing his friend and mentor endure such a serious health crisis is particularly difficult for him.
“It affects my wife more deeply,” Anderson told reporters. “I`m not typically a very emotional person, but right now, just mentioning Ben`s name brings tears to my eyes. We pray for him every night. I`ll come home from the gym or elsewhere and hear her praying on Zoom, and she often comes out with tears in her eyes.”
“Anytime we discuss the situation, or she shares something someone has posted, and we start talking about it, I can see how much she is hurting.”
The reason Anderson`s wife, Jennifer, is so profoundly affected by Askren`s current health situation is because he has played a massive role in the lives of both of them.
In fact, Anderson states that he and his wife would never have met if it weren`t for Ben Askren.
“It`s not just about my career; it`s my whole life,” Anderson explained. “My life wouldn`t be what it is today without Ben. That extends beyond fighting. I met my wife because of Ben Askren. We have two beautiful children. I have my wife, my fight career… it feels like everything I have in my adult life originated because of Ben Askren.”
“Because this man invited me to an MMA gym, and the very first day I walked into that gym, my wife was working behind the front desk. That`s when I first met her. Years later, we started a relationship, and she eventually moved here.”
After leaving college in Wisconsin and transitioning to compete full-time in MMA, Anderson has traveled to numerous gyms for training camps. However, Askren has remained a consistent and influential presence throughout his career.
Anderson says that whenever he needs advice, Askren is almost always one of the first people he contacts.
“Whenever we go back home, we make a point to visit Ben,” Anderson shared. “If I`m dealing with a problem in the fight game—even recently before an upcoming fight—my wife suggested I message Ben. If I`m trying to figure out, say, how to promote myself effectively without sacrificing my values, I`ll reach out to Ben. For any issue, he`s someone I contact.”
“The two individuals I consistently talk to are Ben Askren and Eddie Alvarez. They are the most experienced people in the sport who serve as my primary mentors, able to guide me in the right direction because they have seen and done it all.”
Anderson acknowledges that the past few weeks have been challenging with Askren hospitalized, but the former Bellator and ONE champion is constantly in his thoughts and prayers.
Even as he prepares for his return to action at the PFL Africa card next Saturday, Anderson frequently thinks about Askren`s progress as he continues his recovery from the lung transplant.
More than anything, Anderson eagerly looks forward to the day he can simply pick up the phone and hear Askren`s voice on the other end again.
“Ben Askren essentially set me on the path to the life I have today – from meeting my wife, to my MMA career, introducing me to my first MMA gym, coaching me in college and helping me reach the NCAA National Finals,” Anderson recounted. “He`s done so many different things; he even recommended hunting spots for my hunting channel. It`s all thanks to Ben. There`s really little I can do physically to help him right now.”
“I just want to be able to call and talk to him,” he added. “Even if he can`t talk back. Just to be there. It`s a strange situation. You just keep praying about it and hope he pulls through okay.”
Oliver Croft