Novo Inspire Studios Announces a New Documentary on MMA Fighter Ben Askren
EXCLUSIVE: Novo Inspire Studios, established by David Henrie of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place fame, has teamed up with Best Production Company to create a documentary focusing on renowned MMA athlete Ben Askren. The film will be directed by Rory Karpf, known for his work on 30 for 30: I Hate Christian Laettner.
The documentary is titled Fight for Life: The Story of Ben Askren.
Ben Askren is a celebrated name in the realm of martial arts. His athletic journey began in wrestling at the University of Missouri, where he secured three Big 12 titles and two NCAA Division I championships. Additionally, Askren won gold at the 2005 Pan American Championships and the 2009 World Championships, and he was a quarterfinalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Transitioning from wrestling to mixed martial arts, Askren boasted a commendable record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and one no-contest in 22 MMA bouts. His achievements will be recognized next year with an induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
However, Askren’s life took a dramatic turn earlier this year when he suffered a severe and life-threatening case of pneumonia that led him to be placed on life support. His survival came through a double lung transplant, which proved to be a life-saving procedure.
During this critical period, Ben Askren’s wife, Amy Askren, expressed her gratitude on social media, stating, “We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift. It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly.”
Fight for Life is produced by David Henrie, CEO of Novo Inspire Studios, along with Kevin Bartel and James Henrie. Lorenzo Henrie, Amanda Devine, and J.J. Schindler are on board as executive producers.
The filmmakers have promised a unique look into Askren’s life, facilitated by unprecedented access and never-before-seen footage provided by Amy Askren. According to the official synopsis, the documentary explores Askren’s critical battle with pneumonia, which stemmed from a severe staph infection, leading to a coma and the subsequent double lung transplant.
David Henrie shared his thoughts on the documentary’s broader significance, saying, “If everything were stripped away, would you still choose to fight for your life? This story transcends the confines of the fighting cage, unveiling a raw, human, and highly redemptive narrative. While it honors the MMA community, the documentary’s real strength lies in universal themes such as resilience, masculinity, family, and the transformative power of suffering. Rory Karpf is exceptionally suited to bring these elements to life in this film.”
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