With Stock Soaring, Leben Promises Fireworks Against Stann
Sherdog.com Staff Jan 1, 2011
When a media member at Wednesday’s UFC
125 pre-fight news conference in Las Vegas asked which of the
10 fighters on the dais was most disappointed about not being able
to party this New Year’s Eve, UFC President Dana White offered his
pick almost instantly.
“That would be Leben,” White joked.
Chris
Leben, however, was quick to correct his boss.
“The old Leben!” he exclaimed.
But as his Octagon stock soars thanks to a three-fight win streak -- which includes victories over Jay Silva, Aaron Simpson and, most recently, Yoshihiro Akiyama -- Leben says he’s looking to put those troubles behind him.
“Do people make mistakes? George [W.] Bush got a DUI,” Leben said. “I’m working hard in and out of the cage. Anybody that’s around me knows that I’m a far different person than, one, I was five years ago, or, two, the media likes to paint of me.”
One alleged media mischaracterization which Leben spoke of was that of his disappointment in his next opponent. While Akiyama got to face “TUF 3” star Michael Bisping after being upset by Leben, “The Crippler” was assigned the lesser-known Brian Stann for Saturday’s show. Leben, however, offered nothing but praise for the former WEC light heavyweight champion and United States Marine.
“I’m not sure exactly where [the media is] getting that one from. I’m looking forward to fighting Brian Stann. I think he’s an exciting guy,” said Leben. “I wanna go on record and commend him for everything he’s done for our country, as well. I think it’s an honor to get in there and fight him.”
Asked about his October arrest, Leben was predictably mum, instead touting the improvements his team in Hawaii has helped him make.
“Obviously, the matter’s still pending. I can’t dig into that, but I will tell you my camp is the best it’s ever been,” Leben said. “Greg Thompson [and] Burton Richardson have been just pushing me to the absolute next level. That’s reflected in my last three fights, you know?”
“My fights are generally pretty exciting fights -- at least, I’d like to think so -- and come Saturday night, when me and Brian Stann get in there, you’re gonna have another fireworks show.”
“That would be Leben,” White joked.
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“The old Leben!” he exclaimed.
It seemed important for Leben to make that distinction. The
30-year-old middleweight has carried a reputation as a partier
since his rambunctious stint on the first season of “The Ultimate
Fighter” in 2005. In October, the Hawaii-based fighter was arrested
on suspicion of driving under the influence after he crashed his
truck on the H-1 Freeway in Honolulu.
But as his Octagon stock soars thanks to a three-fight win streak -- which includes victories over Jay Silva, Aaron Simpson and, most recently, Yoshihiro Akiyama -- Leben says he’s looking to put those troubles behind him.
“Do people make mistakes? George [W.] Bush got a DUI,” Leben said. “I’m working hard in and out of the cage. Anybody that’s around me knows that I’m a far different person than, one, I was five years ago, or, two, the media likes to paint of me.”
One alleged media mischaracterization which Leben spoke of was that of his disappointment in his next opponent. While Akiyama got to face “TUF 3” star Michael Bisping after being upset by Leben, “The Crippler” was assigned the lesser-known Brian Stann for Saturday’s show. Leben, however, offered nothing but praise for the former WEC light heavyweight champion and United States Marine.
“I’m not sure exactly where [the media is] getting that one from. I’m looking forward to fighting Brian Stann. I think he’s an exciting guy,” said Leben. “I wanna go on record and commend him for everything he’s done for our country, as well. I think it’s an honor to get in there and fight him.”
Asked about his October arrest, Leben was predictably mum, instead touting the improvements his team in Hawaii has helped him make.
“Obviously, the matter’s still pending. I can’t dig into that, but I will tell you my camp is the best it’s ever been,” Leben said. “Greg Thompson [and] Burton Richardson have been just pushing me to the absolute next level. That’s reflected in my last three fights, you know?”
“My fights are generally pretty exciting fights -- at least, I’d like to think so -- and come Saturday night, when me and Brian Stann get in there, you’re gonna have another fireworks show.”
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