Fighter Profile: Chris Leben

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 185 lbs

Born: 07-21-1980

Current Organization: UFC

Professional Record: 21-6

While Chris “The Crippler” Leben has been fighting professionally since 2002, he did not break into the main stream until he was called to appear on the inaugural season of the UFC’s popular Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2005.

Because of his controversial actions on the show, as well as entertaining rivalries that he developed with several other cast members, Leben earned himself a modest fan following after the show aired on Spike TV. Following five consecutive victories in the UFC directly after the show, including wins over Patrick Cote, Jorge Rivera, and Luigi Fioravanti, Leben proved that he was a force to be reckoned with at 185lbs.

Unfortunately for Leben, the fight he is most known for was a 2006 bout against current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, in which he was battered and beaten mercilessly for 49 seconds before falling to the canvas for the final time. Leben’s straightforward and aggressive striking complemented Silva’s timing and counter-striking.

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After knocking out Jorge Santiago in his next trip to the Octagon, Leben suffered back-to-back losses to Jason MacDonald at UFC 66 and Kalib Starnes at UFC 71 before bouncing back with wins over Terry Martin and Alessio Sakara at UFC 82.

Leben’s highest profile fight occurred last year at UFC 89 when he took on favorite British MMA superstar Michael Bisping in England, losing a Unanimous Decision after three rounds of fighting. Leben tested positive for steroids following the bout and is set to make his first trip back into the Octagon since his suspension when he takes on wrestling powerhouse Jake Rosholt at UFC 102 in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Notable Victories for Leben: Mike Swick, Benji Radach, Patrick Cote, Jorge Rivera, Jorge Santiago

Recent Chris Leben MMA News:

• Lost to Jake Rosholt via Submission at UFC 102 on August 29, 2009 - UFC 102 results

• Defeated Jay Silva by Unanimous Decision at UFC Fight Night 20 on January 11, 2010 - UFC fight Night 20 results

• Defeated Aaron Simpson by TKO at the TUF 11 finale on June 19, 2010 - TUF 11 finale results

• Defeated Yoshihiro Akiyama via Submission at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010 in Las Vegas, NV - UFC 116 results

By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Senior Staff Writer
Published August 2009

Photo courtesy of UFC