Chris Leben tests positive; banned for 12 months – UFC News
Sports are a genre in which players may intake certain chemical substances which increase their stamina or give them raw strength. The mixed martial arts (MMA) is no different. Fighters also take such substances and get in trouble
for doing so. Chris Leben also faced such kind of a trouble for failing a drug test as he was suspended for twelve-years.
The 31-year old MMA fighter from Portland, USA, was declared suspended by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The UFC officials and management announced the news on November 28, 2011. Leben made an impact in the World Extreme
Cagefighting event at WEC 9 in January 2004 when he defeated Mike Swick with a knockout with his punches. Leben has gained victories over MMA and UFC fighters with the likes of Jorge Santiago, Jorge Rivera, Wanderlei Silva, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Patrick Cote.
UFC handed a twelve-match suspension to Leben once he failed the test.
Leben was tested positive for oxymorphone and oxycodone. These two are painkillers and were taken by the fighter. His test was carried out on November 5, 2011, after the UFC 138 event which was held in Birmingham. Leben was at
the losing end when his opponent in the fight, Mark Munoz, won the fight with a technical knockout in the second round. The UFC officials then asked Leben to undergo a test in which the fighter tested positive.
This is not the first time that Leben has been sidelined for his drug related issues. Leben was also suspended after the UFC 89 event in 2008 where he lost the bout to Michael Bisping. He was tested positive for a banned substance
called Stanozolol. On November 28, 2011, the owner of the UFC, Zuffa, LLC, released the initial news about Leben’s suspension.
Leben, who specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, brawling, wrestling and boxing styles, has won twenty-two fights in his MMA career with eight loses and none of his bouts ended in a draw. The one-year suspension came as a shock in
the MMA and UFC community. President of UFC, Dana White said, “I like Chris and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he's been suspended for one year. 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.”
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