Longtime MMA star Ben Askren (who lost to Jake Paul in a 2021 boxing bout) is now on the other side of a fight for his life that was looking extremely grim just a short time ago. Askren was hospitalized and in critical condition throughout all of June because of health complications from having pneumonia combined with a severe staph infection.

Askren's condition reached a point where he needed a double lung transplant if he was to survive, which was going to cost $2 million. However, because his health insurance wasn't going to cover the cost, the combat sports community started fundraising to help the Askren family get the amount needed for the procedure.

And this was a success, as the necessary money was raised, Askren received the double lung transplant, and he released a July 9 video where he thanked the community for their support during this trying time.

After his June 28 victory over Julio Cesar Chavez, Jake Paul promised to donate toward Ben Askren's procedure. However, he didn't specify how much he would pay, and there was no proof of his making a donation in the aftermath.

But this changed when The Rugby League Report made a Facebook post on July 8 that read, "Whether you like or hate Jake Paul, he has stepped up in a massive way this week. When his former opponent Ben Askren needed a double lung transplant, and his health insurance company bailed out on it, he stepped up without a media beat-up and covered a large portion of the bill with $500,000 donation without a fuss.