UFCs Chris Leben released early from jail and under home detention

by MMAmania.com on May 20, 2008 12:24 AM EDT Comment 58 comments

UFC fighter Chris Leben was released from the Clackamas County Jail in Portland, Oregon, early on May 15 after serving time behind bars for a probation violation stemming from an outstanding Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest in 2005.

He was sentenced on May 8 to a 35-day bit with credit for time already served and was originally slated to go home on May 27. He will now finish his time under "home detention," according to jail officials.

Here's a snip from his MySpace.com administrator:

"Hello all, Chris has been released from jail over the weekend. This is all the information I have right now and I'll be sure to update everyone on his resolved legal issues, immediate plans and the expected date of his next match after Chris gets everything organized. He thanks you again for your patience and understanding and Chris will be posting here as soon as he can."

Leben turned himself in late last month with hopes that he would be able to clear up the charge and obtain a visa to fight Michael Bisping in London, England, on June 7. However, the sentence during the hearing on May 8 forced UFC officials to scrap the bout.

Jason Day was called on as a replacement for "The Crippler" because there clearly wasn't enough time for him to prepare behind bars and get all the official paperwork in order to travel overseas.

Stay tuned for more details.

(Thanks to Drew Hall for the assist on this report.)

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Comments

I wonder if he wished he never turned himself in!

by Mad A on May 20, 2008 12:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He had to turn himself in to clear up the legal charges in order to get a passport. I am sure he is relieved to have this legal issue behind him. As he matures, Leben is slowly winning me over as a fan. I used to root for him to lose because I did not like his disrespectful attitude, foot stomps and colored hair. But he has become a dedicated, respectful, mixed martial artist and really puts on a good show. Good job, Chris, for standing up and facing the charges like a man.

by DrPepper on May 20, 2008 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used to root for Leben to lose as well, but he has done a complete turnaround attitude wise. I actually cheer for him to win and I look forward to seeing him progress. Glad to see him face the music. That’s a pretty serious charge. I can’t wait to see who he fights next, the members below that mention Quarry have a good idea…I think that although they are friends they would both step up if need be. I’d also like to see him go against the Predator if he manages to win his next fight.

by Shadyone33 on May 20, 2008 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you serious??? If he didn’t have to go to england, he would have never turned himself in. I hope he has changed, but this proves NOTHING!

by kevin on May 20, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would he wish that? It’s not like he was ducking a murder charge. A week or two of jail time and it’s over, he should have already got this over with.

by Getrawbc on May 20, 2008 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully they book leben to fight against a quality opponent at Summerslam, I mean UFC 87 in August lol (JOKE of a UFC event).

That card needs a good Leben fight:
Leben vs. McFedries UFC 87…Anyone??

by john on May 20, 2008 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL, nice one!

However, I think that McFedries would be a major step down in competition for Chris Leben. Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to see that fight, however, I think that Chris needs to lose a fight before dropping down to the same level as McFedries. Leben is coming off of 2 KO victories. Drew is coming off of a KO loss at the hands of Patrick Cote.

Right now in the MW division, there are a handful of contenders jockying for position to get a title shot after Okami. I may be leaving someone out, so please feel free to add to this list. But these fighters need to be no more than 2 wins away from a title shot. Here is who I can think of first thing in the morning:

Chris Leben
Dan Henderson
Rich Franklin (unfortunately)
Ricardo Almeida
Patrick Cote
Nate Marquardt
Martin Kampmann
Michael Bisping
Thales Leites

A couple of these fighters are already booked to fight each other. With the correct matchups, we could be seeing some very exciting fights in the MW division that don’t involve Anderson Silva.

by ViolentMike on May 20, 2008 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

VM Leben would need at least two, probably 3 quality wins to get a title shot. Anderson KO’d Leben in 44 seconds i believe making a rematch unlikely

by ufcmn89 on May 20, 2008 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops, 49 seconds.

by ufcmn89 on May 20, 2008 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And same can basically be said for Rich Franklin and Nate Marquardt as well. At least Leben only got owned by him once, and it was Anderson’s first UFC fight and cought some people by surprise.

I here ya though. I can picture it this way. Bisping beats Day. Then Bisping and Leben fight. Leben wins. That would possibly put him in position for a #1 contender fight against the winner of Cote/Almeida or actually, this fight would be so far away, that the winner of Cote/Almeida can fight Martin Kampmann (after he gets a win). Then winner of that fight vs Leben to decide #1 contender. A bit of a stetch? Absolutely. Possible? Why not.

My list, with the exception of Leben at the top is pretty much in order.

by ViolentMike on May 20, 2008 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but Leben won’t beat bisping, and bisping will then fight winner of hendo and franklin!

by kevin on May 20, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

VM: U r right about McFedries being a step down for Bisping…. That would be a great Bang though….either way it wont happen because I forgot McFedries is booked to fight Eastman at the TUF Finale.

I do strongly agree that we are going to get some great middleweight fights not involving the spider…

by john on May 20, 2008 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL Summerslam.

Leben V Quarry, I know that he was recovering from injuries from the Starnes fight but thats who I would pick.

by UKmmaBOY on May 20, 2008 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

never would happen. They train together and are very close friends.

by "Mr. NC-17" on May 20, 2008 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what injuries could Quarry possiblty have sustained from the starnes fight? Did he tear his rotator cuff while doing the screech assault?

by psyqo78®™ on May 20, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rumour has it that Quarry didn’t take the Bisping fight because he was injured from fighting Starnes. Must be his funny bone after doing the running man.

by UKmmaBOY on May 20, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Leben has become a professional MMA fighter – not an obnoxious kid as he sometimes seemed on the ultimate fighter. he has improved his submissions and is always in good condition. He has heart as shown in that rocky like knockout of terry martin. I think he needs to surprise Bisping with his ground game when they fight on the oct 18(this saturday) Bisping is very quick at 185 and i dont think standing toe to toe will work out that well for leben in this fight. he’ll get hit more than bisping and if he doesnt knock him out he’ll probably lose a decision. I hope chris surprises us with an improved ground game and by defeating bisping this saturday
Good luck Chris

by MARK RUNCA on Oct 16, 2008 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that this match was not beneficial to bisping because he might have lost, but then again Day should bring it but less caliber opponent than Leben.

by hk on May 20, 2008 12:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mad A: He wouldn’t have been able to get a Visa to go to Britain if he still had that warrant. He had to turn himself in.

by Jason on May 20, 2008 1:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If it was for DUI I hope his career goes to shit. RIP those who have died at the hands of a drunk on the road!

by PLAGUED on May 20, 2008 1:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was for a DUI. My brother has a DUI, im sure you know and are friends with people that have DUI’s, do you wish all them the same fate??? OR are you a contradicting hypocrite . . . Probably the ladder huh! People make mistakes, some people can change and some cant, Leban looks like he can change and is changing. But stay on your cross, you look god up there man . . .

by ( (Adam G) ) on May 20, 2008 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy Adam, your brother may have a DUI where no one was hurt, but unfortunately, not everyone with a DUI can say that. A lot of people have died because someone thought a DUI was no big deal.

Now I’m not saying condemn him, I like Chris, and people can change, but don’t make light of the charge because it’s one of those charges that isn’t serious to people until something horrible happens.

by Getrawbc on May 20, 2008 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

have you not ever drank and drove? not any? not 1 single time? if not good for you. if so and youve never had a dui, the only difference betweeen you and chris leben is that he got caught and you didnt! that is the only difference between alot of people who drink and drive. some get caught some dont. if you or someone you know haver ever been hurt by a drunk driver, then my condolences, but chris never hurt anyone and to wish damage to his career for 1 mistake then shame on you for being so vengful and judgemental!

by b.w. on May 20, 2008 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen. Preach on Brother!

by ViolentMike on May 20, 2008 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get over yourself dude, and remember that this is a place to comment about mma, not to belidle people about mistakes they have made in the past.

by Haze on May 20, 2008 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

like uv never freakin drove alittle drunk before.

by belfort_fan on May 20, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This Jail Thng Having Him Miss The Bisping Fight Might Be Good. Mabye Well Get TO See A Dream Fight Of Mine.
—-> CHRIS LEBEN V.S NATE QUARRY <—-

by Sour Diesel on May 20, 2008 1:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that would be good to see.

Tough to think who would win. I reckon Nate. But of course it could be a war.

by Jackanapes on May 20, 2008 5:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they will never fight

by ufcmn89 on May 20, 2008 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they probebly wont but the dude that said its cause they train together is stupid.They no longer train together. Leben trains in hawaii.

by belfort_fan on May 20, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. That would be a great pick.

by UKmmaBOY on May 20, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“there clearly wasn’t enough time for him to prepare behind bars” LMAO

by Bil on May 20, 2008 1:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Also i dont think Leben would fight Quarry because they were so close on the ultimate fighter, i just dont see it happening.

by Bil on May 20, 2008 2:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, and they were teammates at Team Quest even before the Ultimate Fighter. I think Quarry was at Quest before the show – I know he was training there after the show, and I know Leben was training there prior to.

However, both Nate Quarry and Chris Leben both strike me as people that fully understand that MMA is a sport – a competition. I think that if the fight makes sense and cents than the two of them would fight each other in the octagon. They are both gamers that love to be tested.

by ViolentMike on May 20, 2008 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they agreed to fight.

by Toms Bombs on May 20, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If everyone remembers all the way back to TUF 1, when Quarry had to withdraw from the competition with a busted ankle he chose Leben to return to the house as his replacement. While a fight between the two would be very interesting, I don’t see it happening. Just like Jardine and Rashad will never fight each other, and neither will any two members of the Koscheck-Swick-Fitch triangle.

by PW on May 20, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a question surrounding the DUI and subsequent turning himself in (I’m from the UK by the way).

If he violated probation, would there have been an outstanding warrant for his arrest..? If so would the Police have been able to arrest him at a past UFC event that he’s been involved in..? Or would it just be if he went back to Oregon state..

Slightly off topic I guess, but just curious.. You could of course tell me to shut up..!

Cheers
Stu

by stub74 on May 20, 2008 3:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stu,

Yes, Chris would have a bench warrant issued for his arrest. However, beacuse his crime was not a felony police would only arrest him in the state of Oregon.

by Jeff on May 20, 2008 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

is there time for the leben bisbing fight to be re arranged. no disrespect to day but the Leben fight is much more apealing?

by mashurst on May 20, 2008 4:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

UFC 85 is 16 days away! of course not

by braveheart on May 20, 2008 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would guess when Bisping destroys day the fight against Leben will be arranged? and it will be in america so more credit for Bisping when he breaks Lebens bones!

by Tony on May 20, 2008 5:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually Leben will be facing a more respected Day. Say goodbye to that silly count!

by Bic on May 20, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he turned himself in because he was scared to fight bisping!

by Tony on May 20, 2008 5:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You have the biggest nuthugging mancrush on Bisping.

by chefdaddy on May 20, 2008 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I thought the whole point of turning himself in was so he could fight in England. Leben aint scared of Bisping. All though if they did fight id give the edge to Bisping but only slightly.

by Macho Bullshit on May 20, 2008 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leben scared to fight Bisping? Actually, Leben was willing to go to take a fight with him on short notice, and go to jail for 10 days, and only have about 2 weeks to train for the fight, and he still wanted to kill Bisping.

Not exactly what I’d call scared.

by ViolentMike on May 20, 2008 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll bet if the UFC offered Leban a re-match with Anderson Silva, he would take it in a heartbeat!..Do I think he would win?..HELL NO!
My point is that he would take it, and not be “scared” at the same time..Leban being scared to fight anyone is laughable!..Have you ever seen the guy fight?.haha I guess not.. Leban is the type of guy to get rocked, and then stumble toward his opponant swinging for the fence’s..He was willing to fight the “new improved” faster, more crisp, Bisping on short notice..How the hell does that make him scared…

by Stagger-Lee on May 20, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mothafucka said “mancrush!” LMAO!! Get ’em Chefpops! And wheres that sandwich!!!!!

by ( (Adam G) ) on May 20, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw that Adam G. The one with the spicy mustard? I’ve got that special mayo to go with it. It’ll be ready in two minutes. lol

by chefdaddy on May 20, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leben had to own up to his mistake sooner or later… he should have owned up to the mistake he made and not just to get it over with so he could travel out of the country. He lost my respect for this – I’m sure others feel the same.

by DJ on May 20, 2008 6:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He doesn’t need your respect Boy.

by Bic on May 20, 2008 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, he turned himself in so he could get a VISA o fight Bisping. Warrant for arrest=NO VISA=NO FIGHT

by Shmmogz on May 20, 2008 6:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember before the Bisping match was announced, Leben announced that he was going to be fighting more than likely Bisping or Yushin Okami.

Yushin Okami has only won 2 fights and he is not a lock to fight Anderson Silva. If he was a lock, he would of been announced after the UFC 82 event, similiar to the Jon Fitch-GSP announced match-up.

Or give Leben: Demian Maia. He is becoming a hot commoditity inside the UFC.

by "Mr. NC-17" on May 20, 2008 10:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Day is going to kick the poop outtta “the count”
then leben vs day could happen. which is an awesome fight.
i think day is going to make it happen in the ufc. back on topic, i think bisbing should be scared of leben.
no way could he stand with him.

by irish on May 20, 2008 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That was a quick little vacation. I bet he’s all happy to get out. Good for him for taking care of his biz.

by kama kaze on May 20, 2008 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They should just let Leben fight. So what if he’s been in jail for like a day.

by dab0neman on May 20, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The UFC needs to sit out Michael Bisping from this event and wait until Leben is cleared. I doubt that they’ll face each other (Leben & Bisping) in the future. It would be a good fight.

by Robert on May 20, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs