Social media star-turned pro boxer Jake Paul showed respect for former opponent Ben Askren as the former UFC star fights a health crisis. The two fought in 2021.

Ben Askren feels like he's attended his own funeral – but he hasn't. He's still alive. And not only that, he's now talking. In an emotional video posted to his social media account Wednesday, Askren provided a health update himself for the first time since he was hospitalized with a severe case of pneumonia that ultimately led to a lung transplant.

Former UFC fighter and ex-Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren knows he is lucky just to be alive. Askren is currently recovering following a double lung transplant. Askren suffered severe pneumonia that became a staph infection. He was placed on life support but provided his first public comments recently.