"It's never happened before. Nobody has fought this close together in the UFC and I won them both. It's just a reflection of the support group, the team I have around me. This is crazy, I mean Wanderlei Silva got hurt, I stepped in and I fought one of the toughest guys in the world. I'm just so excited. The fact of the matter is I just beat Wanderlei Silva's opponent. I think I should have him next. I think they should put us both on the (TUF) show, let us battle it out on the show, then put us in the cage and let us battle it out there."
An emotional and obviously excited Chris Leben caps off the greatest two weeks of his career by submitting highly-regarded Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 116: "Lesnar vs. Carwin" on July 3 in Las Vegas. After finishing Aaron Simpson at the June 16 TUF 11 Finale, "The Crippler" was flown in as a late replacement for the injured Wanderlei Silva, who was expected to face "Sexyama" in the co-main event. Now Leben holds the "W" over "The Axe Murderer's" foe and believes that earned him a spot against the dangerous Brazilian. Anyone disagree?
I want Soti against the 155 champion for the TUF after GSP/Kos. Wandy would be a fun coach but I don't care about him fighting Leben and I don't think it would benefit either guy the same way it would the 155ers especially if Penn isn't the champ.
I can't believe Akiyama let himself get caught in a triangle in the waning seconds of the fight that i think he wouldve won if he just played a little more conservatively in Lebens guard at the end of the fight.
I honestly had Leben winning the third round. Sure Akiama got the take down and was on top, but he wasn't doing Jack with. Leben was throwing shots, going for submissions, and actually damaging Akiama from inside the guard... had it gone to the judges I personally had it for Leben in rounds 2 and 3... all though, I'm sure the judges would have seen a guy on top and assumed he was winning the fight.
All the judges had it first for Akiyama second for Leben(which if that is the round Akiyama got mount in is completely absurd you don't lose points for gasing). I had all three for Akiyama I thought they fought fairly even point wise on their feet with Akiyama doing a lot more damage. I think the judges were confusing Akiyama being gassed for being hurt by punches in the second. Leben was way more rocked in the second than Akiyama he just didn't have the energy to keep throwing at a high pace.
for the love of god don't do tuf, both guys are already coaches. leban just wants people to see him do it, if you ask me the guy suffers from a inferiority complex. he must think people still hate him from the original tuf and steroid use, which some do but not many.
Sorry, but I don't think someone who has been busted for Stanozolol just two years ago and who admitted to cheating with the excuse that he thought he wouldn't get caught belongs on TUF. He might be a new person now, but that doesn't make the past go away just yet.
I mentioned Leben before as a coach, Wandy would be great too. MMA ring vets, seen it all.
These are the type of guys that belong on TUF, NOT your #1 and #2 WWs - so we get to know their personalities better, and maybe produce some unknown LW to potentially become a top 10 MMA LW.
This would be a sick season of TUF. We all know that Leben would at least be entertaining as a coach. And stylistically this would be a war. Dana would be crazy to not allow this to happen. It could have fight of the year written all over it!
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