UFC Star Promotes Meme Coin Post-Health Crisis Token Crashes 100% in Hours

A former UFC star and Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren, faced scrutiny after promoting a Solana-based meme coin named “FUNKY” less than 24 hours after being discharged from the hospital following a life-threatening health crisis. The token, which crashed to zero value hours after its launch, was linked to Sahil Arora, a meme coin creator with a history of leveraging celebrity endorsements for speculative projects. Arora confirmed to Decrypt that Askren was knowingly paid to promote the token, but critics argue the pattern reflects broader industry issues with influencer-driven crypto schemes [1].

Askren’s recent health struggles, including a double lung transplant in June 2025 and claims of “dying four times,” drew public sympathy. His medical insurance company reportedly refused to cover the transplant costs, prompting donations from figures like Jake Paul and UFC boss Dana White. Arora claimed the $FUNKY promotion was intended to help cover Askren’s medical expenses, though he did not provide evidence of payment receipt. The token’s market capitalization peaked at $29,000 before collapsing, a stark contrast to Jenner’s earlier $22.41 million one-day high for a similar campaign [2].

The FUNKY token’s rapid decline was flagged as a “classic rug pull,” where developers cash out by selling all their holdings, leaving investors with worthless assets. Blockchain analyst Nick Vaiman of Bubblemaps described the pattern as common in the crypto space, emphasizing the risks of influencer-led promotions. Social media users initially speculated that Askren’s account had been hacked, given the timing of the post, but Arora presented screenshots of direct messages showing Askren had agreed to the promotion. The influencer also shared alleged evidence of email confirmations for a wire payment, though these were not verified [3].

Arora’s track record includes high-profile partnerships with celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and rapper Rich the Kid, though he has faced allegations of misleading them. Jenner previously claimed Arora owed her “lots of money,” and Arora admitted to Coffeezilla that some stars believed they were endorsing broader crypto projects rather than branded tokens. This ambiguity raises questions about transparency in influencer contracts, particularly in the fast-moving meme coin ecosystem.

Despite Arora’s claims, the FUNKY token’s failure left him reportedly out of pocket. The incident underscores the volatility and ethical gray areas in crypto marketing, where celebrities’ personal struggles are sometimes leveraged for financial gain. Askren’s post remains active on X, a departure from Arora’s usual practice of deleting controversial content after backlash. The case highlights the need for clearer regulatory frameworks to protect both influencers and investors from fraudulent schemes.

Source: [1] [After Nearly Dying, Former UFC Star Ben Askren Promotes Crypto Scam] [https://decrypt.co/331667/ben-askren-ufc-mma-funky-meme-coin] [2] [After Nearly Dying, Former UFC Star Ben Askren Promotes Crypto Scam] [https://decrypt.co/331667/ben-askren-ufc-mma-funky-meme-coin] [3] [After Nearly Dying, Former UFC Star Ben Askren Promotes Crypto Scam] [https://decrypt.co/331667/ben-askren-ufc-mma-funky-meme-coin]