Leben suspended from UFC for 9 months for illegal substance use
Date: 2008-11-06 08:00:00
Source: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/sto...
Submitted By: UFC Dump
28-year-old mixed martial arts star Chris (The Crippler) Leben has followed his main event loss at UFC 90 with a frank admission - he cheated.
Leben was suspended for nine months by the Ultimate Fighting Championship when he failed a drug test, testing positive for the steroid stanozolol after a unanimous decision loss to the UK fighter Mike Bisping in England on October 18.
Leben, who has battled alcohol problems for much of his career but claimed he was now living a clean life in Hawaii and undergoing a "new training regimen" that would bring a "better, stronger" Leben to the MMA world, copped to having cheated in a statement released by the UFC.
Chris Leben strikes Terry Martin at Fight Night 11View Larger Image View Larger Image
Chris Leben strikes Terry Martin at Fight Night 11
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"This is a huge setback for me, but it is something I will have to deal with.... During my time off from fighting, I want to speak to kids about the dangers of using performance enhancing agents and let them know it just doesn't get you ahead in life."
UFC President Dana White stated, "I am obviously disappointed with Chris, who has made great strides getting his life back on track.... To his credit, he has taken responsibility for his actions and is accepting the punishment that has been handed down. But as always, the UFC puts the safety of its athletes first and foremost, and we won't tolerate anyone using performance enhancing drugs in our organization."
Leben has been docked a third of his prize money from UFC 90.