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Chris Leben's career in MMA, much like his adult life has been met with inconsistency while travelling down a long, hard road battling his competition and his inner demons. His career started in 2002, by fighting in a multitude of small organizations. His berak came at WEC 9, where he beat a relatively skilled striker, Mike Swick, for the inaugural Middleweight Championship. By 2005 Leben compiled a record of 11-2. But he wanted more, much more than what he was putting in. When the UFC made the call to Leben if he would accept the invitation to the inaugural Ultimate Fighter, Leben accepted. However, his presence there was rather troublesome. Drunk and abrasive towards the other participants, Leben was not afraid to confront his competition. Since the show Leben is the only person to have fought in the first six Ultimate Fight Night events, during which he earned a string of victories. His victories against Patrick Cote, Jorge Rivera and Edwin Dewees came with Leben's "iron" like will and an incredulous steel chin. Leben took many punches to the face, without as much as a flinch.
At 15-2 with 6 successive victories, it seemed Leben had finally found a place where consistency had finally visited upon him. That is until his next match with the relative newcomer, and a burgeoning talent that came from Pride FC. Anderson Silva. Leben's promise to send Silva back to Japan was met 32 punches later and a brief period of unconsciousness. Leben was never at that "level" of superiority. However, his career was unforgettable, as most of his matches were always expected to end with a knockout or a 3 round war that saw both men in complete and utter exhaustion. Over the next 7 years, he holds wins over Jorge Santiago, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Terry Martin and Wanderlai Silva. He ended his career on a 4 fight losing steak and a record of 22-12 in 2013. But Leben would tell you, that losing the match wasn't what counted. It was the fight in him which mattered most. Whether it was in the cage or outside of it, his battles continue.
Chris Leben vs Yoshihiro Akiyama UFC 116
Chris Leben vs Benji Radach Sportfight 4
At 15-2 with 6 successive victories, it seemed Leben had finally found a place where consistency had finally visited upon him. That is until his next match with the relative newcomer, and a burgeoning talent that came from Pride FC. Anderson Silva. Leben's promise to send Silva back to Japan was met 32 punches later and a brief period of unconsciousness. Leben was never at that "level" of superiority. However, his career was unforgettable, as most of his matches were always expected to end with a knockout or a 3 round war that saw both men in complete and utter exhaustion. Over the next 7 years, he holds wins over Jorge Santiago, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Terry Martin and Wanderlai Silva. He ended his career on a 4 fight losing steak and a record of 22-12 in 2013. But Leben would tell you, that losing the match wasn't what counted. It was the fight in him which mattered most. Whether it was in the cage or outside of it, his battles continue.
Chris Leben vs Yoshihiro Akiyama UFC 116
Chris Leben vs Benji Radach Sportfight 4
