Chris Leben sentenced to 35 days in jail; UFC 85 fight with Michael Bisping is off (Update)
By: MMAmania
MMAmania.com just learned that middleweight fighter Chris Leben was today sentenced to 35 days in jail and will be released on May 27, 2008 (he gets credit for time already served), which would give him only 12 days until his scheduled showdown with Michael Bisping at UFC 85: “Bedlam” at the O2 Arena in London, England, on June 7.
It was apparently too close for comfort, forcing to the promotion to scrap the bout, according to WrestlingObserver.com.
No replacement for Leben is known at this time. However, “The Count” will remain on the card — his presence as a high profile British-born UFC star is perhaps more important than any other in the field who can put butts in seats.
“The Crippler” turned himself in to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in Portland, Oregon, on April 30 because of an old Driving Under the Influence (DUI) probation violation. He did so to obtain a travel visa overseas, but it appears that things did not work out according to plan.
Neither Leben nor the UFC have issued statements at this time. Stay tuned for more details.
May 8th, 2008
He has to call of this fight for his well being. If he goes in the cage with very little cardio and time to prepare he could get destroyed by Bisping
Dude, thats the best place to train. Dont you watch those MSNBC Lock_Up specials? Those dude get all ripped up.
Lol he’s in Jain not prison. He’ll still fight he’s crazy… and the crazy part is he’ll win.
eff it all i know is chris leben will get the top bunk no matter what!! lol..and he will get his chocolate milk! i can see him now!! “hey you gonna finish that!?!”
you want the bottom bunk ,he should pull out of the fight, doing any time in county jail is a nightmare terrible sleep, terrible food, lots of noise and lots of goofs ,he will not be prepared, even prepared ,bisbing will beat him, hell kalib”no heart” starnes beat him.
Yeah I would say he would be fine to fight, but he wont be able to get his supplements and he will have terrible nutrition in there. Bisping is wayyy too strong at 185 to go in short of 100% with him. Its too bad though. A dominant performance for either would have been a great set up to a really entertaining title fight with Silva.
mexicutioner! “jail is the best place to train” Bisping is training at the Wolfslair Gym and will have top fighter such as Vera and Irvin coming to his gym. He’s Eating all the right nutrients and is probably walking around at 190lb as i type this.
On the other hand you have a fighter who is known for his rock hard chin and his lack of conditioning and is walking around at about 205lb!
Uuuh, I think Mexicutoner was joking with you. Don’t hold on to Bisping’s sack too tight, he may want more children. LOL
I wasnt joking. I was totaly serious. As a matter of fact, I bet he planned this all back to the very date he got the DUI. That guys is always thinking ahead. He is such a genius. (uh, joking!!!)
braveheart: How do you figure Leban is known for lack of conditioning? Remember TUF, he was the only guy to pass the conditioning test and he did it hung over!
BTW, I have braveheart tattooed on me. Scottish need some representation in the UFC.
Leben is NOT known for a lack of conditioning!
MAN, this SUCKS. I, like most, was REALLY looking forward to this fight.
About Leben’s conditioning, it is just fine. BNF made a great point about TUF 1 and the conditioning test - he “out-stamina’d” Kos, Diego, and everyone else.
Throwing a lot of punches takes a lot out of you. For a good example, look at this past episode of TUF. Jeremy May got tired after throwing 2 minutes worth of punches. Yeah, his conditioning was awful, but the phrase “let him punch himself out” is valid. The only time besides the Kalib fight that Leben really looked winded was against Terry Martin. That was a 3 round SLUGFEST.
I think you can do cardio in the pen, you can jog in place all day, fall on your belly, jump up, you know what I mean.Let me tell you all, if he does his time, shows up, and wins, he deserves a LOT more respect. He will get mine!!!!!!
I was really excited about this fight! But no way should leben be allowed to fight Bisping with 12 days to prepare!
If it was Terry Martin i could understand
Jason Day is the replacement fighter.
Damn, 12 days probably isn’t enough. The only positive thing that might come from replacing him is it might be free on SPIKE??
Its Bisping! Leben will only need 12 days of training to knockout that poser.
Ray I’d like to see you step in and fight Bisping
That’s an intelligent way to debate.
I think I have enough training to beat him! I’ve never done any jail time but I have a couple of nutty relatives that have and I think with some intense training with them I can do it in only 12 days as well!
did you watch 83? you are a poser dude, bisbing is the real deal @ 185
Okay, robd! You sound a little bitter. I know Bisping is your Idol and all but I did watch Rashad and Hamill beat your boy down. He is not as bad as you would like to believe.