kingvillan
11-28-2011, 10:08 PM
Chris Leben nailed again for banned substances, Dana White to stick by him during one-year suspension
By Steve Cofield
Chris Leben has battled demons his entire career. Now he's got another fight on his hands facing a one-year suspension after testing positive for two banned substances following UFC 138.
For shows in the U.K., the UFC oversees drug testing:
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.
Leben, who served one-year suspension back in 2008 and 2009 following UFC 89 for using Stanozolol, apologized.
"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."
UFC president Dana White showed compassion with his statement posted on UFC.com.
"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."
Leben, 31, has also battled a well-chronicled addition to alcohol over the years as well.
By Steve Cofield
Chris Leben has battled demons his entire career. Now he's got another fight on his hands facing a one-year suspension after testing positive for two banned substances following UFC 138.
For shows in the U.K., the UFC oversees drug testing:
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.
Leben, who served one-year suspension back in 2008 and 2009 following UFC 89 for using Stanozolol, apologized.
"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."
UFC president Dana White showed compassion with his statement posted on UFC.com.
"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."
Leben, 31, has also battled a well-chronicled addition to alcohol over the years as well.