Chris Leben is the type of guy who often gets pigeonholed. He’s regularly described as a striker with a good chin; other times, people have called him a wild man who leaves it all in the cage. These descriptors are not inaccurate but they are in a way insensitive. Leben was once a feared contender in the middleweight division. His rise through the ranks was filled with fights that where incredibly exciting, but these same fights are sure to have lasting effects on the Oregonian’s wellness. Never having won UFC gold, Leben instead embraced the title of “Fan Favorite” and fought in war after war taking as much damage as just about anyone inside the Octagon. Now at the age of 35 and coming off of four losses in the UFC, Leben has decided to make one last run inside the cage, only this time it will be with Bellator MMA.
Let me start by saying, I believe that every fighter has a right to decide when to call it quits. I would never tell someone to retire, that’s not my job, nor do I want it to be. That being said, I wonder greatly if there is anyone in Chris Leben’s fight camp who feels differently than I do? Beyond that, I wonder if there is anyone from Bellator who thought about the future of the fighter they just signed? I am no doctor but I would argue that Chris Leben has suffered multiple concussive blows throughout his professional career. That certainly isn’t uncommon in mixed martial arts but that doesn’t make it acceptable. Athletic commissions place medical suspensions on injured fighters following all fights and a fighter who was concussed in his or her bout would most likely receive a lengthy suspension. However, that suspension does not take into account future complications from the related injury. In fact, if you go to the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s website, you would be hard pressed to find any protocol related to in-fight injuries, concussion or otherwise. So for fighters like Leben, it seems that their wellness is very much tied only to those individual performances. Anything beyond that rests squarely on the shoulders of the athlete.
Over his last four fights, Leben has been out struck by a considerable margin, the totals come in at 197 to 102. That’s roughly 49.3% if you’re keeping score. For many fighters, those numbers would be insurmountable but for some reason, he seems to have the ability to absorb the punishment. In fact, in two of the four losses mentioned, he took his competitor the distance. I am not questioning the toughness or will of Chris Leben, there is no need. But, if a fighter is getting hit at the count of nearly two to one, it must raise a red flag for someone in his camp. The amount of significant damage Leben as absorbed over his career isn’t out of the ordinary but it is above average. According to fightmetric.com, Leben has absorbed 2.87 significant strikes per minute (SApM) throughout his professional career. When compared to the top fifteen fighters at middleweight in the UFC he isn’t too far ahead, that group averaged just 2.13 SApM.
Beyond the head trauma and the effects that may await Leben in the future, I would be remiss not to mention his past transgressions, which could be cause for concern moving forward. He has been very forthcoming with regard to his addiction to painkillers and his alcoholism. Chemical dependency to painkillers is a fierce grip, one that many never overcome. Leben has stated publicly that addiction has been a life long battle for him. This raises a red flag for me when I try and consider what awaits him with his return to fighting. A fighter with a style like his is going to be prone to injuries. The types of injuries that fighters suffer in the cage regularly require pain medication to be prescribed. As a result, relapse is a terribly real outcome for many people and a serious injury in the cage could easily be the catalyst for a relapse in the case of Leben.
I am as big a fan of Chris Leben as there is, maybe that’s why I’m writing this. I’ve been watching him fight since 2004 and I will admit, I am one of those people who would openly hope for a Chris Leben slugfest whenever he was on a card. His comebacks have been epic, his rise and fall from grace was tragic, and his return to form was beautiful. As time caught up with him and his wins were no longer plentiful, it was clear to me that he chose the right time to call it quits. Now, instead of this honest and well-timed retirement, Leben must prove to himself and his fans that now is the perfect time for a return, even if it means taking a punch or two.
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