The grappling community was shaken to its core after news broke that retired UFC star and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren had been hospitalized with a severe staph infection that deteriorated so rapidly it led to the need for a double lung transplant.
His medical ordeal has thrust the very real danger of staph and MRSA back into the spotlight—this time, with more urgency than ever. On a recent episode of Fighting Matters, host Steve Kwan was joined by Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ and Dr. Clayton Green, a board-certified dermatologist and microbiologist, to discuss just how serious this bacterial threat has become—and what athletes can realistically do to protect themselves.
Dr. Green made it clear that up to 30% of people carry the bacteria naturally on their skin, particularly in areas like the nose, underarms, and groin. Under normal circumstances, it doesn’t cause harm. But in a sport like jiu-jitsu, where skin-to-skin contact, abrasions, and shared mats are the norm, staph has countless opportunities to breach the skin and spark dangerous infections.
“You think about your head pummeling in jiu-jitsu. You’re smashing your nose and nares against each other’s face. And so, a lot of risk of exposure of staph even in healthy people with no rashes.”
Even the most fastidious gyms aren’t immune. Jeff Shaw, who runs one of the cleanest academies in the Pacific Northwest, recounted his own frustrating experience with MRSA: “I’ve had staph three times in my 15 years jiu-jitsu career. Hadn’t had it in 12 years… And so, what frightens me most is when you do all the right things and it doesn’t work.” This illustrates a cruel reality: staph isn’t always the result of poor hygiene or laziness.
Sometimes, it just finds a way. Dr. Green compared prevention efforts to Swiss cheese—every layer of defense has holes. But stack enough layers, and the chances of bacteria slipping through decrease. Still, perfection isn’t possible. “You can minimize risk, but you can’t eliminate risk,” he warned.
The evolution of community-acquired MRSA has made this issue even more pressing. Unlike hospital-acquired MRSA, which typically affects older or immunocompromised patients, community-acquired strains are now targeting healthy, young athletes. Dr. Green explained that these versions of MRSA come armed with toxins like PVL, which “poison neutrophils—the very immune cells designed to destroy infections.” In other words, the bacteria can cripple your body’s first line of defense and wreak havoc quickly. That’s exactly what appears to have happened to Ben Askren.
Askren’s case is a worst-case scenario. After contracting the infection, his condition deteriorated so severely that he required ECMO, a life-support treatment that oxygenates the blood outside of the body. The infection damaged his lungs so badly that doctors determined his only chance at recovery would require a double lung transplant.
His wife Amy confirmed on Facebook that Ben is now on the transplant list, noting, “It’s going to be a huge adjustment for Ben, but our family is so thankful that his other organs are ok and that there is a path forward.” The family remains hopeful, but they’ve also had to confront another harsh reality: the insurance company has refused to cover the cost of the transplant, leaving them staring down catastrophic medical bills.
This should serve as a wake-up call for everyone who trains in close-contact sports. Dr. Green stressed the importance of consistent hygiene, not just as a personal responsibility but as a collective defense. Always wash training gear immediately after use. Staph can live on fabric for days or even longer under the right conditions. Never wear the same gi for multiple sessions without washing it. Always wear flip-flops in shared bathrooms or showers to prevent foot infections. And shower as soon as possible after training—every time.
Equally important is the cleanliness of the training environment. Mats should be cleaned regularly with disinfectants proven to kill MRSA. Training rooms should have proper ventilation to avoid turning into bacterial hothouses. Coaches should be on the lookout for clusters of infections, which might indicate a deeper systemic problem at the gym. But perhaps most crucial of all is managing personal health with discipline: don’t train when sick, even if it’s just a cold. Don’t ignore minor cuts or rashes. And don’t play doctor—if a lesion looks suspicious, see a real one immediately.
Ben Askren’s battle is still unfolding. He remains in critical condition, facing a long road to recovery. The infection ate holes in his lungs, and despite his warrior spirit, he now awaits a lung transplant as his only shot at a normal life. He’s awake, aware, and reportedly trying to mouth words like “coffee” to his family—a glimmer of his old self that has offered hope. But his situation is a harrowing reminder that MRSA isn’t just some abstract threat—it’s real, it’s vicious, and it doesn’t discriminate.
In a sport that often glorifies toughness and grit, it’s easy to ignore the warning signs or downplay risks. But if Ben Askren’s case teaches us anything, it’s that even the toughest among us are not immune.
