Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (“the UFC®”), today released information stating that middleweight fighter Chris Leben tested positive for Oxycodone and Oxymorphone following his Nov. 5 loss to Mark Munoz in the main event of UFC® 138 in Birmingham, England. As a result of the positive test, Leben will be suspended from fighting for one (1) year. “I like Chris and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he's been suspended for one year,” UFC President Dana White said. “If he needs professional help, we are going to be there for him. We want to see him succeed not only in the Octagon, but in his personal life.” “I would like to make it known that I fully accept this suspension and apologize for embarrassing the UFC, my friends and family, and sport of mixed martial arts,” Leben said. “I’m learning that I’m my own worst enemy sometimes. I can’t succeed in the Octagon or in life behaving this way. I’ve got to make some real changes over the next year and I’m going to focus on getting my life and career back on track. Again, I’m sorry to the UFC and fans that’ve supported me since my days on The Ultimate Fighter.” The remaining 19 fighters on the UFC® 138 card all passed their post fight drug tests. http://uk.ufc.com/news/leben-suspended-for-one-year-after-ufc-138
Re: Chris Leben suspended one year following failed drug test post-UFC 138 The UFC has been good to Leben and he has rewarded them with some memorable fights, but with all of those fights comes repeat offenses for drugs, DUI, etc.. I guess the UFC knew what they were getting into with Leben right from The Ultimate Fighter but they have stuck by him. Whether he deserves the support is probably a more pertinent question than whether he needs it.
Sad to hear, but its a positive that he appears to acknowledge he has a problem and Dana saying he will help him out.
while I'm glad to see some loyalty out of Dana f'n White, I would like to see some consistency too with his loyalties. I hope Leben does clean up, but we have heard this story before from Leben.. like when he moved to Hawaii to get a change of scenery etc...