When a college wrestler crosses paths with a two-time National Champion and Olympian, you don’t expect a casual handshake to turn into a life-altering invitation. Yet, that’s exactly how Corey Anderson’s journey in MMA began, thanks to the one and only Ben Askren. What started as a trainer-trainee dynamic soon morphed into a relationship that defined not just a fighting career but also his entire adult existence. From being pulled off a wrestling track to stepping into the chaotic world of mixed martial arts, Anderson owes much more than cage time to Askren. As Ben battles a brutal health crisis in 2025 following a double lung transplant, the gravity of his influence hits harder than any knockout blow.
Askren isn’t just known for his wrestling wizardry and sly in-cage antics; for fighters like Corey Anderson, he’s the unshakable mentor who laid down the blueprint for success outside the Octagon too. The Bellator light heavyweight kingpin often calls Askren his first lifeline when wrestling with career decisions. Anderson’s personal tale intertwines so deeply with Askren’s mentorship that without him, there might never have been a pro MMA fighter, a wife, or two kids. This article dives deep into the seismic impact Ben Askren has had on Corey Anderson’s adult life, from training sessions to family anecdotes, and the raw emotional rollercoaster that is watching a mentor fight a battle far from the cage.
Ben Askren’s Mentorship: More Than Just Training
Ben Askren wasn’t just your ordinary wrestler turned MMA phenom; he was a sparring partner with eyes like a hawk on future stars. When Corey Anderson came into the picture, Askren saw something raw—something that screamed “diamond in the rough.” Unlike other coaches who might’ve nodded politely, Askren threw out that invite to dive headfirst into MMA. And Anderson? He dove so deep, he almost forgot where the ground was.
Askren’s mentorship went beyond teaching takedowns or how to withstand a guillotine choke. He was the guy who nudged Anderson to dream bigger, fight smarter, and handle the brutal madness of MMA life. The grind isn’t just about throwing punches or locking limbs; it’s about sanity, self-improvement, and knowing when to tap out of bad habits. And that’s where Askren stood apart: he wasn’t just coaching a fighter; he was raising an athlete into a beast with a blueprint for life.
Corey Anderson’s MMA Genesis, thanks to Ben Askren
Here’s the kicker: Anderson wasn’t an MMA guy at first. The dude already had accolades in college wrestling, which, let’s be honest, demands as much grit as a bare-knuckle brawl. But wrestling and MMA aren’t the same beast. Askren’s sharp eye caught Anderson’s offbeat footwork—a style unorthodox enough to shake cages in the UFC and Bellator alike.
- Invited Anderson to train at the first MMA gym he ever stepped into.
- Provided guidance through the transition from wrestler to MMA competitor.
- Coached Anderson to reach the NCAA National Finals in wrestling.
- Introduced Anderson to the fight world, paving the way to The Ultimate Fighter.
- Offered career advice and personal mentorship beyond training sessions.
That invitation was the trigger for Anderson’s entire adult identity—a mix of fighting skills, resilience, and personal growth. No Askren, no MMA career.
| Milestone | Role of Ben Askren | Impact on Corey Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Transition from college wrestling to MMA | Offered training and guidance to adapt skills | Opened doors to professional fighting |
| Training at first MMA gym | Provided environment and mentorship | Led to Anderson’s long-term career foundation |
| Introduction to The Ultimate Fighter | Helped prepare physically and mentally | Kickstarted professional MMA career |
| Personal and career advice | Made himself a constant mentor | Shaped life decisions and fight strategy |
Askren’s influence was no mere footnote in Anderson’s story; it was the headline act, complete with cattle calls to train harder, smarter, better.
Family Ties Forged in the MMA Gym: When Askren Brings More Than Technique
If you thought mentorship in MMA was confined to drills and fight camps, think again. For Corey Anderson, Ben Askren didn’t just mold a fighter—he also unknowingly seeded the roots of his family life. The very first MMA gym where Askren pulled Anderson inside was also where he met his future wife, Jennifer, who worked behind the gym’s front desk. Talk about a heavyweight matchmaker.
Anderson’s story throws a wicked curveball to those who think fighters live only for the cage. This mentorship played a massive role in shaping Anderson’s adult life beyond just punches and takedowns.
- The genesis of a lifelong relationship began with a simple gym encounter.
- Askren’s introduction led to Anderson meeting Jennifer, his future wife.
- Their marriage birthed two beautiful kids, grounding Anderson beyond fighting.
- Family support became a pillar in his fight career endurance.
- This intimate mentorship connection grows even stronger amidst Askren’s health battle.
According to Anderson, “Everything I have in adult life – from my wife, my children, to my fight career – came because of Ben Askren.” If that line doesn’t hit you in the feels, you probably don’t understand MMA’s wild web of bonds.
| Aspect | Ben Askren’s Influence | Result for Corey Anderson’s Life |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting future wife Jennifer | Opening MMA gym doors where Jennifer worked | Started a relationship |
| Family| Marriage & Children | Nurtured environment & support | Stable personal life |
| Emotional support | Constant mentor presence | Helps Anderson balance fight life |
Facing Trials Outside the Cage: Ben Askren’s Health Struggles and Corey Anderson’s Emotional Armor
The tough-as-nails reputation in MMA rarely prepares anyone for the emotional wrecking ball that health crises bring. Ben Askren is currently out of the fighting ring, locked in a battle most can’t even imagine—recovering from pneumonia that forced him to undergo a double lung transplant. For Corey Anderson, a guy who’s been through his fair share of war in the cage, seeing his mentor in such a vulnerable state is gut-wrenching.
Askren’s wife Amy provides updates through Zoom calls where Anderson’s wife, Jennifer, is often moved to tears. Anderson, the quintessential warrior who usually wears emotional armor like a champ, admits the strain is undeniable. “It hits my wife more,” he says, “but every time someone mentions Ben, I feel the sting. We pray every night for him.”
- Askren hospitalized after severe pneumonia.
- Underwent a double lung transplant—a brutal fight for any human, let alone a fighter.
- Constant updates shared by his wife, Amy.
- Emotional impact extends deeply to Anderson and his family.
- Corey relies on faith, hope, and relentless positivity amid this storm.
| Challenge | Details | Effect on Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Health crisis | Severe pneumonia leading to double lung transplant | Emotional struggle, increased prayer & support |
| Hospitalization updates | Provided by Askren’s wife Amy via Zoom | Emotional toll on Anderson’s family |
| Emotional reaction | Anderson rarely shows emotion but admits pain when hearing news | Determines renewed mental toughness and appreciation |
The Lifeline of Communication: How Ben Askren Remains Core to Anderson’s Career Moves
If you think MMA fighters call their team only around fight week, you’re dead wrong. For Corey Anderson, Ben Askren is like that “always-on” hotline when career crossroads, promotional headaches, or fight game puzzles come knocking. From Bellator to the UFC and back to PFL, Anderson makes sure Askren’s wisdom is just a message away.
This dynamic duo is a masterclass in mentorship and reciprocity. Askren doesn’t just dish out standard advice; he influences fight strategy, promotional savvy, and mental conditioning. When Corey is tweaked by promotion pitfalls or gearing for a fight, it’s “Ben, what’s the move?” The answer is almost always right on point or at least brutally honest – which MMA fans know is more than rare in the fishbowl of fighter-politics.
- Regular communication for career guidance.
- Advice on promotional strategies without “selling soul.”
- Mentorship extending into mental and emotional preparation.
- Shared wisdom from experienced veterans, including Eddie Alvarez.
- Visits back to the gym to recharge and strategize.
| Career Aspect | Askren’s Role | Results for Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Fight preparation | Strategic advice and mental coaching | Sharpened fight readiness |
| Promotion and publicity | Guidance for self-promotion without compromising integrity | Balanced career growth |
| Emotional support | Being a reliable mentor figure | Improved resilience and confidence |
Sportsmanship and Self-Improvement: Lessons from Askren Carved Into Anderson’s MMA DNA
To outsiders, Askren’s style sometimes came off as unorthodox or even provocative. But for Corey Anderson, those traits were lessons in sportsmanship, grit, and the fierce need for self-improvement. The MMA world is littered with fighters who peak early and flame out quick like a cheap sparkler, but Askren’s mentorship sculpted Anderson into a competitor who stays relevant by evolving.
Anderson’s fitness regime, fight IQ, and mental toughness trace back directly to Askren’s teachings. That blend of brutal discipline and smart adaptability is what keeps Anderson hanging with the elite after over a decade of blood, sweat, and cage wars.
- Developed resilience to bounce back from tough losses.
- Adopted a fitness mindset that transcends standard training.
- Learned tactical fight strategies from a wrestling legend.
- Embraced humility despite success inside and outside the cage.
- Continues to aim for self-improvement in all life aspects.
| Self-Improvement Area | Askren’s Teaching | Anderson’s Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Physical fitness | Strict conditioning and work ethic | Elite-level stamina and strength |
| Technical skill | Unorthodox wrestling technique | Versatile and dynamic fight style |
| Mental toughness | Handling pressure and setbacks | Composure in high-stakes bouts |
| Humility & growth | Lessons on respecting opponents and sport | Continual refinement of skills and attitude |
Askren’s contribution to Anderson extends far beyond the cage. The dynamic is immortalized in the fighters’ mutual respect and Anderson’s repeated acknowledgments in interviews and social media [check out further coverage on Askren’s tribute].