MMA fighter Corey Anderson vividly recalls the first time he met Ben Askren during his college wrestling days. At the time, Anderson was a decorated wrestler, but he had no idea how this meeting would profoundly alter the course of his entire life.
Askren, a highly accomplished wrestler himself (two-time National Champion and 2008 Olympian), was impressed by Anderson`s competitive spirit. He extended an invitation to Anderson to train with him and suggested he consider a career in mixed martial arts. This mentorship proved pivotal. Anderson began training alongside Askren, which eventually led to his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. This served as the launching pad for a successful MMA career where Anderson has remained a top light heavyweight competitor for a decade, culminating in becoming the final 205-pound champion in Bellator history.
Currently, Ben Askren is hospitalized, having undergone a double lung transplant following a severe case of pneumonia. While Askren`s wife, Amy, provides updates, Anderson admits seeing his friend and mentor go through such a difficult health crisis has been deeply unsettling.
“It affects my wife more,” Anderson shared. “I`m not typically an emotional person, but even mentioning Ben`s name now brings tears to my eyes. We pray for him every night. I hear my wife on Zoom calls, and she`s often in tears afterward.”
He added, “Any time we talk about the situation or see an update, and she shares it with me, I can see how much she`s hurting.”
Jennifer, Anderson`s wife, is so affected because Askren played a crucial role in both their lives.
In fact, Anderson states emphatically that he and his wife would likely never have met if not for Ben Askren.
“It`s not just about my career; it`s my life. My life wouldn`t be what it is without Ben,” Anderson explained. “That includes more than just fighting. I met my wife because of Ben Askren. I have two beautiful kids. I have a wife. I have a fight career. It feels like everything significant in my adult life originated because of Ben Askren.”
He elaborated on their meeting: “He invited me to an MMA gym, and on the very first day I walked in, my wife was working behind the front desk. That`s when I first saw her. Years later, we began a relationship, and she eventually moved here.”
After leaving college in Wisconsin and committing to a full-time MMA career, Anderson has trained at numerous gyms. However, Askren has remained a constant source of guidance throughout his journey.
Anderson says whenever he needs advice on anything related to his career or navigating the sport, Askren is one of the first people he contacts.
“Every time we go back home, we visit Ben,” Anderson said. “If I have a fight-related issue, even now before an upcoming fight, my wife tells me to message Ben. If I need advice on promoting myself without compromising my values, I reach out to Ben. Anything at all, I turn to Ben when I have a problem.”
“There are two people I consistently talk to: Ben Askren and Eddie Alvarez. They are the two longest-tenured figures in the sport who serve as my biggest mentors, capable of guiding me because they have experienced everything.”
Anderson acknowledges that the past few weeks have been difficult with Askren`s hospitalization, but the former Bellator and ONE champion is constantly in his thoughts and prayers.
Even as he prepares for his upcoming return to action at the PFL Africa card next Saturday, Anderson`s mind often drifts to how Askren is doing in his recovery from the transplant.
More than anything, Anderson deeply longs to finally pick up the phone and hear Askren`s distinct voice on the other end once more.
“Ben Askren essentially set the direction for the life I have – my wife, my start in MMA, the first MMA gym I ever trained at, coaching me in college and getting me to the NCAA National Finals,” Anderson reflected. “He`s done so many different things, he even gave me spots to hunt for my hunting channel. It`s all because of Ben. You feel somewhat helpless in this situation.”
“I just want to call and talk to him. Even if he can`t say anything back. Just witness to him. It`s a strange situation. You just keep praying and hoping he comes out okay.”
