For those who missed “UFC Countdown” to “Bisping vs. Leben” the other night it was once again very, very well done.
The quality of these specials have improved exponentially in just the last few months alone — someone in the production department over at Spike TV needs a big raise.
Anyway, here’s the piece on Chris Leben, which was very compelling, from his rough childhood to going AWOL from the army to being an alcoholic since age 13 to being in the UFC 89 main event:
Great stuff.
October 17th, 2008
29 Comments »
I have been a fan of Leban ever since TUF 1. That countdown show was awesome and gave a lot of insight into his personal life. From what I saw this is the best Leban ever. Physcially and mentally he is very strong. Seeing how he is the underdog in Bisbing’s backyard, he has absolutly nothing to lose. Can’t wait until tomorrow!!!
Should be a dam good fight! I gota hand it to Bisping, hes been pretty exciting lately! And Leben always comes to fight! Im going for Leben, hopefully by KO?
I actually like Bisbing, but at 205 I was less than impressed. You right about him at 185 though. That’s what makes this such an interesting match up. I am just afraid that Bisbing might try to pull a Machida and try to win on points, but I hope I am wrong!
i have a tough time respecting a felon and a deserter… i was in the military for three years and did my time, sure it sucked and i did alot of shit i didnt want to or didnt sign up to do… but i did my time like a man. i hope this crybaby gets knocked out
I have to agree with brendan with Leben being a deserter or AWOL. Thats bullshit. When you sing up, your first duty is to serving your country, not your collateral duty. Im sure there is no MOS for wrestling, so he had to have had a job he was to be trained orpaid for. I was in the submarine service in the Navy as well as a diver. My rate was Fire Control (weapons) and diving was a collateral duty. There is a lot of shit that sucks in the military, but anyone with common sense would figure on that going in. I’m assuming that the Army wrestling team is at Westpoint. Did a guy that couldn’t allegedly read or write really think he was going to get into Westpoint? It pisses me off when I hear about guys that enlist and then decide theyy dont like it and take off because they can’t man up handle things. The only people worse are conscientious objectors.
Going AWOL is very weak, but you’ve got to believe he has a chance for redemption in his life. (I’ve needed it in mine a few times). I think it will be an interesting fight.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with deserting if you were lied to by your recruiter, which 99% of applicants are. The armed services recruiters don’t care how they get you to join, what promises they have to break, or what lies they have to tell, it’s their job to get your ass to sign on the dotted line.
Deserters are pussies. If you’re lied to, you can write or call your congressman and respectfully plea your case, or you can just be a fuck-up shitbag, like most deserters are anyway, and they wil kick you out.
i agree nouvelle that most recruiters are scumbags who do whatever they can to get you to sign… but alot of times its not their faults… they have a certain quota to meet and if they dont meet it they get hell from their command. not that lying to a young kid out of high school is at all justified but even still, like mexi said, you gotta have a little common sense and realize that the military is about combat first and foremost… so if you sign up to be a wrestler and they send you to iraq to pull guard duty, live with it!
Bob C u make a good point I think Leban now knows he was a ‘deserter’ ‘alcoholic’ ‘generally stupid & f**ucked up’
Either Leban’s a Shit Bag Alcoholic Loser or a guy pulling his head out his ass for some redemption. I like the direction Leban is taking… seems purposeful.
ufc 92 is called ‘the ultimate 2008′ now on ufc.com
I have always hated Leben since TUF 1. That countdown show gave a lot of insight into his personality. However, I hate Count Bizzz even more so… go Leben, show the world you are a changed man and worth the pot um…. the pillow you piss in.
The pissing incident was the moment I became a fan!
It was only a sprits!
LOL…
HE IS GONNA SMASH BISPING!
I didnt think it was possible for leban to be any more of a douchebag after his pathetic crying fits on tought 1 and then his comments about how anderson silva should go back to japan where the competition isnt as stiff. But after watching leban with the cornrows yesterday and seeing these lame marketing videos I hope bisping destroys him and then spritzes in his mouth. Fuck you Cat Smasher you suck go away.
Preach on brother, preach on. I might not have phrased it as, um, eloquently as you did, but I agree with the sentiment!
Kazanski,…Cat Smasher?…lol.. was he one of those sadistic cat haters?
No he is not going to smash bisping. He couldnt smash Terry Martin ( and that knockout was pure luck). This is going to be one of the most boring fights of MMA. Bisping doesnt hit hard but is very quick and leben has a jaw of steel. Its going to go all 3 rounds and by the end of the 2nd they will be gassed out. You will see…this will turn into a clinch along side the cage with footstomps and battle for position the whole fight..
One of the better Countdowns for sure….Leben has definately turned his life around. I like Bisping too but I hope Chris takes this one
I like how he has turned himself around. He still wont win tomorrow but I hope he puts up a good show.
I still see bisping winning by TKO or decision, hes just too quick. and as for what good shape Leben is now in, well its going to take more than two posed black and white pictures to convince me. I also think there has been some photoshopping going on at the UFC, they were both pictured in a local paper over her close to one another in a line, Bisping dwarved Leben.
Still I hope we see a good fight finishing one way or another late in the third for whoever deserves it.
So long as its not a decision I’ll be happy
Cant wait to see this fight!!!! I sure hope Leben pulls it off.
Great PR Package.
Its going to be a classic brawler v technical. If Leben frustates Bisping into a brawl, Bisping could get KOed quick. That said, I think Bisping is too disciplined to let that happen.
Great Video
good story!
It will be better than we think im pretty sure
Okay. I’ve made my mind up. Bisping will demolish Leben…better qualify it…I think. I can’t be too rash haha.
Chris seems to have turned his life around. I can’t commend him enough for that but I don’t see him winning unless he lands some crazy haymaker which he probably won’t.
win or lose this next fight, congrats to leben for his new direction. the video was very inspiring.