Teary UFC icon Ben Askren breaks silence from his hospital bed and reveals he 'died FOUR times' before life-saving double lung transplant

UFC icon Ben Askren revealed that he 'died four times' before undergoing a life-saving double lung transplant, as he addressed fans for the first time since the ordeal.

Last month, Askren suffered a staph infection and contracted pneumonia, before being rushed to hospital on June 7 to be put on a ventilator in critical condition.

Now, Askren has been seen for the first time since the incident, as he broke his silence with a video on Instagram.

He began: 'What's up guys! I've not given you an update in a while and I feel like you deserve one.

'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.

'But, I got the double lung transplant and made it out to the other side of it. I was actually 147lbs. I haven't been 147lbs since 15-years-old.

'The thing that was most impactful to me was the love I felt from everybody. It was almost like I got to have my own funeral.

'The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good. So I'm more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out.

'I love you guys and I appreciate you guys. This has been tough. Not only on me but on my whole family and community.

'I hope you guys appreciate the update and sometime down the road maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more'.

Askren appeared to struggle to talk throughout the video and, multiple times, had to stop and deal with a cough.

The comments were quickly flooded with emotional messages of support for the former UFC star - with the likes of Joe Rogan leading the way.

Rogan shared two 'heart' emojis in the comments.

Meanwhile, UFC legend and Askren's podcast co-host Daniel Cormier wrote: 'We love you buddy! You’re a fighter it’s why you are fighting back! Thank god we still have you'.

UFC presenter Laura Sanko wrote: 'You got this Ben!!! We’ve been praying for you brother. What a fighter. God bless you and your whole family'.

Last month, Askren's wife Amy confirmed the news that the wrestling star received a life-saving double lung transplant after suffering from 'severe pneumonia'.

Askren's family have been calling for donations in recent weeks, with the cost of a lung transplant in the United States ranging from $300,000 (£222,915) to $400,000 (£297,220).

Askren retired from MMA in 2019 after a three-fight stint with the UFC.

He made his MMA debut in 2009 after a decorated collegiate wrestling career that saw him become a two-time NCAA division 1 champion.

The 2008 Olympian would go on a decade-long undefeated streak inside the cage, winning world titles in Bellator and ONE and was widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the world outside the UFC.

Despite a fractious relationship with Dana White, Askren would make his Octagon debut in 2019 after a trade deal involving former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.

After defeating Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut, Askren suffered back-to-back losses against Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before announcing his retirement.

Despite undergoing major hip surgery after hanging up his gloves, Askren later returned to competition, losing to Jake Paul via first-round TKO in a boxing match.

He married his wife in 2010 and they share three children, two daughters and a son.