Ben Askren is back running for the first time since his life-threatening illness earlier this year.

Askren was forced to undergo a double lung surgery in June after being diagnosed with severe pneumonia a few weeks prior.

Several members of the MMA fraternity, including UFC CEO Dana White and Jake Paul , had donated to Askren's family to provide the transplant.

Askren said he 'died four times' during his experience with the illness, after his wife, Amy Askren, had confirmed the former UFC fighter had a successful surgery.

The 41-year-old from Iowa then left the hospital in late July after a 59-day bed-bound battle, but was briefly returned under precautions a few days later after doctors discovered a new infection .

He has since been in and out of the hospital, but

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