The UFC’s website just released some very big news. Chris Leben tested positive for Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, two extremely potent pain killers, after his UFC 138 bout with Mark Munoz. From the press release on the UFC website:
As a result of the positive test, Leben will be suspended from fighting for one (1) year.
“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 said that he accepts the suspension and apologized to his fans.
It’s quite troubling that at a point when Leben had rebounded his career to being possibly a win away from being in title contention he popped a positive test for such serious substances. Leben appears to have some serious troubles that are going to require the professional help mentioned. Simply sitting around for a year thinking “I’m gonna turn it around” isn’t likely to have any long-term positive effect on his life.
Here’s hoping Leben can use this chance to get himself right.
About the author
