MMA: UFC's Chris Leben Suspended One Year
 

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...UxBUfTEILgyWzA Chris Leben


Updated Nov 28 4:19 EST


The UFC has suspended Chris Leben for one year due to a failed drug test.

The veteran middleweight tested positive for the prescription painkillers oxycodone and oxymorphone following his UFC 138 main-event loss to Mark Munuz earlier this month.

UFC officials, who oversaw regulation for the overseas event, today announced the suspension.

UFC 138 took place Nov. 5 at LG Arena in Birmingham, England. Munoz vs. Leben was part of a main card that aired via same-day delay on Spike TV. Munoz earned a second-round TKO victory when Leben's corner deemed him unable to continue for the third round.

This is Leben's second suspension following a failed drug test, and it's the second time the UFC was forced to hand down the punishment. Leben also tested positive for the banned steroid Stanozolo following a 2008 loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 89. Like UFC 139, UFC 89 took place in the U.K., where there is no official sanctioning/regulatory body. In such situations, the UFC brings in an outside company to conduct drug testing.

"I would like to make it known that I fully accept this suspension and apologize for embarrassing the UFC, my friends and family, and sport of mixed martial arts," Leben stated. "I'm learning that I'm my own worst enemy sometimes. I can't succeed in the octagon or in life behaving this way. I've got to make some real changes over the next year, and I'm going to focus on getting my life and career back on track. Again, I'm sorry to the UFC and fans that've supported me since my days on 'The Ultimate Fighter.'"

Despite two failed tests, UFC president Dana White made no mention of cutting the fighter from the UFC's roster.

"I like Chris, and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he's been suspended for one year," White stated. "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 (22-8 MMA, 12-7 UFC) first joined the UFC in 2005. He was on a stellar 4-1 run before the recent loss to Munoz (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), who is expected to fight in a No. 1 contender's bout in his next outing.

All other 19 fighters on the UFC 138 card passed their drug tests, according to the UFC.