Ben Askren’s ‘New Lungs’: Who Really Paid?\n\n## The Hilarious Origin of the Ben Askren ‘Lungs’ Meme\n\nAlright, guys, let’s dive straight into one of the most hilarious and misunderstood internet memes that ever graced the combat sports world: Ben Askren’s ‘new lungs.’ You’ve probably seen it floating around, chuckled at the absurdity, or maybe you’re still scratching your head wondering if Ben Askren actually had some bizarre lung transplant after his boxing match with Jake Paul. Well, buckle up, because we’re about to unpack the whole saga. The genesis of this specific meme, “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs,” is directly tied to the highly anticipated, and let’s be honest, wildly entertaining boxing spectacle between retired MMA phenom Ben Askren and YouTube sensation Jake Paul back in April 2021. Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and undefeated MMA champion in Bellator and ONE Championship, made his professional boxing debut against Paul. Many fans, including yours truly, were hoping to see Askren humble the brash YouTuber. However, as we all know, things didn’t quite go according to plan for “Funky” Ben.\n\nThe fight itself was a short-lived affair, with Jake Paul securing a first-round knockout victory over Askren. Now, without delving too much into Askren’s boxing prowess (or lack thereof, as some might argue), it was clear that his performance, particularly his perceived lack of cardio or stamina , became a hot topic of discussion post-fight. Ben Askren had always been known for his relentless, grinding style in MMA, often wearing opponents down with his elite wrestling, not his striking or explosive power. In the boxing ring, however, it seemed his physical conditioning, especially his ability to maintain a high pace, was under scrutiny. Fast forward a bit, and Askren revealed that he was slated for hip replacement surgery — a procedure he had been putting off for years due to his demanding combat sports career. This is where the plot thickens and the meme truly takes flight. Jake Paul, ever the provocateur and master of social media trolling, seized this opportunity with both hands. He famously tweeted, “I paid for Ben Askren’s new hip… and new lungs.” This single tweet, guys, was the spark that ignited the entire “Ben Askren’s lungs” phenomenon. It was a brilliant piece of trash talk, perfectly aimed at mocking Askren’s performance and implying that his perceived exhaustion during the fight was due to poor lung capacity, which Paul generously offered to “fix.” The humor lies in the blatant exaggeration and the complete fabrication of the “lungs” part, contrasting sharply with the very real hip surgery. It was an instant classic in the annals of combat sports banter, forever linking Jake Paul’s name to Askren’s imaginary lung issues and making everyone ask, who indeed paid for Ben Askren’s lungs ? This joke perfectly encapsulated the often-absurd world of social media, where a kernel of truth (Askren’s hip surgery) can be twisted into an outlandish, unforgettable meme that makes us all chuckle and keeps us talking about the fight long after the final bell.\n\n## Unpacking the Reality: Ben Askren’s Health Journey\n\nLet’s get real for a moment and separate the meme from the actual medical facts regarding Ben Askren’s health journey . While Jake Paul’s tweet about paying for “new lungs” was a hilarious jab, the reality is that Ben Askren’s primary medical concern, and the reason he underwent a significant surgical procedure after the fight, was his hip . This is a crucial distinction, guys, because there was no literal “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs” scenario. Askren, a legendary wrestler and mixed martial artist, had been dealing with a severely deteriorated hip for a considerable amount of time. His career, spanning decades of high-level competition from collegiate wrestling, through the Olympics, and into the demanding world of professional MMA, took a massive toll on his body. The relentless impact, constant twisting, and explosive movements inherent in wrestling and grappling are incredibly tough on the joints, and his hip finally reached a point where surgery was not just recommended but absolutely necessary. He underwent a total hip replacement procedure, which is a major surgery designed to alleviate chronic pain and restore mobility in individuals with severe hip joint damage.\n\nThis isn’t just some minor tweak; a hip replacement is a serious medical intervention that requires extensive recovery and rehabilitation. So, when people jokingly ask, “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs,” the actual question should probably be, who paid for Ben Askren’s hip replacement? Typically, medical expenses of this magnitude are covered through a combination of personal health insurance, out-of-pocket payments, and potentially funds earned from his fights. For a high-profile athlete like Ben Askren, who likely has good health insurance coverage, a significant portion of the surgical costs would be handled by his policy. Furthermore, his professional fight against Jake Paul was undoubtedly a lucrative endeavor. While specific fight purses are often kept private, it’s widely speculated that both fighters earned substantial amounts from the pay-per-view sales and guaranteed purses. It’s not unreasonable to assume that the earnings from such a high-profile event would certainly contribute to, or even comfortably cover, any remaining medical expenses not handled by insurance. This financial aspect adds another layer to the “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs” narrative, as his earnings indirectly facilitated his necessary medical care. It really highlights the often-overlooked physical sacrifice athletes make for our entertainment, and the very real medical consequences that can arise from pushing their bodies to the absolute limit. Ben Askren had actually retired from professional MMA in 2019 precisely due to his hip issues, stating that he couldn’t perform at an elite level anymore. His venture into boxing against Jake Paul was a one-off, largely motivated by the significant financial opportunity, which, in a twist of fate, ended up coinciding with the timing of his critical hip surgery. So, while the “lungs” meme is a fun bit of internet humor, the underlying truth points to a serious and necessary medical procedure that Ben Askren undertook to improve his quality of life after a storied career.\n\n## The Jake Paul Factor: PR Stunts and Fighter Pay\n\nLet’s be honest, Jake Paul’s involvement is a huge part of why the “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs” meme became such a sensation. Jake Paul, guys, is a master — a controversial master, but a master nonetheless — of the modern PR stunt and social media engagement. His persona thrives on provocation, spectacle, and a seemingly endless supply of confidence (some might say arrogance). When he tweeted about paying for Ben Askren’s “new hip… and new lungs,” it wasn’t just a casual post; it was a carefully calculated move designed to maximize buzz, troll his opponent, and keep himself squarely in the spotlight. This is classic Jake Paul. He understands the algorithms, he understands the outrage cycle, and he knows how to get people talking, even if it’s about something completely absurd like non-existent lung surgery. For him, every interaction, every tweet, every soundbite is an opportunity to build his brand and generate further interest in his burgeoning (and often polarizing) boxing career. The “lungs” comment was perfect because it piggybacked on a real medical issue (Askren’s hip) but exaggerated it to a point of comedic absurdity, making it instantly shareable and meme-worthy.\n\nBeyond the trolling, this incident also touches on the often-debated topic of fighter pay in combat sports. While the meme focused on “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs,” the underlying reality is that high-profile fights, especially those involving a mainstream personality like Jake Paul, can be incredibly lucrative for the athletes involved. Fighters, particularly in MMA, have long campaigned for better pay, often risking their health for relatively low compensation compared to other professional sports. However, a boxing match featuring Jake Paul is an entirely different beast. These events often generate massive pay-per-view buys, leading to significant payouts for the headliners. While the exact figures of Ben Askren’s purse for the Jake Paul fight were not officially disclosed, it’s widely believed that he earned a substantial sum – likely the biggest payday of his entire career, dwarfing his earnings from his championship runs in Bellator and ONE Championship, and even his UFC tenure. When we talk about “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs” (or rather, his hip), it’s important to consider that his earnings from this one fight would very likely be more than enough to cover any out-of-pocket medical expenses, even for a major surgery like a total hip replacement. This puts a different spin on Paul’s boast; while he didn’t literally hand over cash for Askren’s surgery, his involvement in the fight created the financial opportunity for Askren to earn the funds necessary to address a long-standing health issue. It’s a bit of a meta-commentary on the economy of combat sports, where a viral spectacle can inadvertently provide critical financial resources for an athlete’s well-being. So, whether Jake Paul intended it or not, his high-profile fight ultimately played a role in Askren’s ability to finance his much-needed medical procedure, even if the “lungs” part was pure, unadulterated, and hilarious fiction for public consumption.\n\n## Beyond the Hype: Ben Askren’s Post-Fight Life and Legacy\n\nAfter the whirlwind of the Jake Paul fight, the hip surgery, and the constant chatter about “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs,” it’s worth taking a moment to look at Ben Askren’s life beyond the hype and how he’s navigated his post-fight career and legacy. Guys, Ben Askren has always been a unique personality in combat sports. He’s known for his unfiltered honesty, sharp wit, and a self-deprecating humor that made him a fan favorite, even when his fighting style wasn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing. Following the Jake Paul boxing match and his subsequent total hip replacement, Askren largely stepped away from the intense spotlight of active competition. He’s been transparent about his recovery, sharing updates with fans and reinforcing the reality of his actual medical condition, which was his hip, not imaginary lung problems. This transparency has been key in clarifying the joke versus the reality for many who might have only heard the meme. While the boxing loss to Paul was a tough pill to swallow for many of his longtime supporters, it hasn’t diminished his incredible legacy in the slightest.\n\nBen Askren’s career achievements speak for themselves, far outweighing a single boxing exhibition against a YouTuber. He was a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion in wrestling, an Olympian, and an undefeated MMA champion in two major promotions (Bellator and ONE Championship) before entering the UFC. His dominant wrestling, coupled with his strong grappling and unwavering will, made him a truly formidable opponent throughout his MMA career. He retired from MMA with a professional record of 19-2 (1 NC), which is nothing short of exceptional. The Jake Paul fight was, for all intents and purposes, a financial opportunity for a retired athlete to secure a significant payday, and it should be viewed in that context rather than as a definitive statement on his combat sports prowess. He’s always been pragmatic, and this fight offered a huge return for a relatively short effort, even if the outcome wasn’t what he (or his fans) hoped for. In his post-fighting life, Ben Askren has continued to be involved in wrestling, often coaching and mentoring younger athletes, sharing his vast knowledge and experience. He’s also a popular figure in the media, frequently appearing on podcasts and shows, offering his insights on combat sports with that characteristic Askren candor. The “lungs” meme, while persistent, is more of an amusing footnote in an otherwise illustrious career. It serves as a reminder of the often-absurd intersection of traditional sports and internet culture, but it doesn’t define him. What truly defines Ben Askren is his relentless dedication, his championship mindset, and his lasting impact on the sports of wrestling and mixed martial arts. He’s a legend, guys, and one joke, even a very good one, isn’t going to change that. His journey, from Olympic aspirations to MMA glory and then to addressing serious health issues, serves as an important reminder about the physical sacrifices athletes make and the importance of prioritizing one’s health, even if it comes at the cost of stepping away from the arena.\n\n## Key Takeaways: What We Learned from the ‘Lungs’ Saga\n\nSo, guys, what’s the real scoop and the key takeaways from this whole “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs” saga? First and foremost, let’s nail down the core truth: Ben Askren did NOT have lung surgery. This is perhaps the most important point to remember. The entire “lungs” narrative was a masterful piece of trolling by Jake Paul, a highly effective and undeniably hilarious meme that spiraled from his post-fight tweet. Ben Askren actually underwent a total hip replacement surgery for a long-standing, career-ending injury. This was a very real, very serious medical procedure that had nothing to do with his respiratory system. The humor, and indeed the staying power of the meme, comes from this absurd exaggeration. It serves as a fantastic example of how a small kernel of truth (Askren needing surgery) can be blown up into an internet phenomenon through social media’s rapid-fire spread and the creative (and sometimes mischievous) minds of online users. The fact that the question “who paid for Ben Askren’s lungs” still pops up speaks volumes about the meme’s virality, but it’s crucial to understand the actual context behind it.\n\nSecondly, this entire episode sheds light on the intersection of athlete health, fighter earnings, and social media spectacle . Ben Askren’s hip issues were a direct result of his incredibly demanding career as an elite wrestler and MMA fighter. Athletes push their bodies to their absolute limits, and often, the long-term consequences are significant injuries requiring extensive medical care. While the meme focused on the humorous aspect, it inadvertently highlighted the real and substantial costs associated with maintaining an athlete’s body, particularly after retirement. The Jake Paul fight provided Ben Askren with a significant financial windfall, likely the largest payday of his career. These earnings would undoubtedly have played a crucial role in covering the costs of his necessary hip replacement, whether directly out-of-pocket or to supplement insurance coverage. So, while Jake Paul didn’t literally pay for Askren’s “lungs,” his role in creating that massive financial opportunity indirectly contributed to Askren’s ability to fund his actual, vital medical procedure. It’s a complex interplay where entertainment value translates into financial resources for athletes. Lastly, this whole story is a great reminder about critical media literacy and understanding context in the age of viral content . It’s easy to get swept up in a catchy meme or a provocative tweet, but it’s always worth taking a moment to consider the underlying facts. Ben Askren’s situation was a serious health matter, turned into a lighthearted joke. While the joke is good-natured and funny, understanding the actual circumstances gives us a fuller appreciation of the story. So, the next time someone asks about Ben Askren’s lungs, you, my friends, will be armed with the real story – the story of a legendary athlete, a necessary hip surgery, and a truly unforgettable internet meme. It’s a tale of combat sports, social media, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned trolling that ultimately helped one athlete take care of himself.