After Bloody Elbow noted on Saturday that The Ultimate Fighter 1 alum Chris Leben has been arrested on multiple charges in San Diego, the troubled former UFC competitor now commented on his arrest and the domestic violence allegations made by other outlets.
“Absolutely ridiculous,” Leben told MMA Fighting. “I don’t know where they got that. There’s absolutely no truth to it. […] Everybody else went out and quoted it. Once one person says something then it’s like free rein for everyone else to quote. Like, ‘He said it.’ That’s damaging to my character.”
Leben, who embodied the role of the likable bad boy during the first-ever TUF season, is known for his past problems with painkiller pills and an ongoing struggle with alcohol, but claims he has never abused a woman in his life.
“When it comes to my character, that’s the one thing I hold dear,” Leben said. “I’m an outlaw with ethics. You know what I’m saying? There’s honor among thieves. There’s certain laws I don’t f*cking believe in and there [are] others I believe in. There’s a certain way I live my life and one thing I would never do is beat or hurt a woman ever. And any man that ever does that is a f*cking piece of sh*t and deserves to get shot in the head. I’ve never done anything like that.”
In fact, Leben asserted that it has been his wife Kaleena Leben that has been abusive and that he suffered from her for years. According to Leben, her abusive behavior caused him to cut himself and lose his job as a coach at Victory MMA in San Diego.
Leben was arrested on charges of possession of an assault weapon, two counts of vandalism, two counts of trespassing and a count of violating a temporary order of protection — not, however, on charges of assault nor violence. According to him, the particular incident happened a month ago in his house, to wich he retuned, although him and his wife have separated and she had already obtained a temporary order of protection against him. Leben stated, claims made in the order are false. He also claimed he didn’t damage anything in the house and doesn’t understand why he has been charged with vandalism. He wouldn’t comment on the weapons charge, by advise of his lawyer. Leben is currently out on $100,000 bond.
“The last thing I need is this mess to tarnish my name,” Leben said. “All I want to do is focus on coaching, being healthy, obviously staying sober and this is such a nightmare. It really is. It’s a nightmare.”
Leben also addressed the issues via twitter:
Toall my family and friends please defend me i was a great husband and you all know what I put up with I never laid a hand on my wife
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) July 27, 2015
I’m no mayhem I’m no war machine i’ve got problems but I wear them on my sleeve ask me and I will tell you
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) July 28, 2015
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