Dana White has issued a public appeal in support of Ben Askren, who remains in hospital after being diagnosed with severe pnuemonia earlier this month.

Askren, 40, was hospitalised after contracting pneumonia as a result of a staph infection and he now requires a life-saving lung transplant. 

He was unresponsive last week but alive, despite claims circulating online that he had died. Askren was transferred to his home town of Wisconsin to receive treatment, according to UFC commentator and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier. 

This came after Askren's wife, Amy Askren, provided an update on his concerning condition, saying he was bed-bound in care.

She revealed earlier this week that her husband remains in hospital on a ventilator.

'His body can't handle coming off sedation too much yet,' she posted on Facebook. 

'I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for a lung transplant.'

UFC CEO White is hopeful kind-hearted UFC fans will be able to donate, and he shared the link to the fundraiser with his 10.5million Instagram followers. 

'Click the link to help Ben Askren,' White said.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the cost of a lung transplant in the United States ranges 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 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.