UFC Quick Quote: Chris Leben couldnt land that one big shot on Michael Bisping
by MMAmania.com on Oct 19, 2008 10:47 AM EDT
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"I said [to myself] I gotta draw him in somehow. I was playing every card I had. At that point I was like fucking screw it, let's trade. Let's try to get him to come in and bang with me a little bit and maybe I could land that shot. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. And this time I didn't. It was Bisping's night tonight."
-- Chris Leben talks in the post-fight press conference about his mindset as he realized he was losing the main event fight against Michael Bisping at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" at The National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, England, last night. "The Crippler" was clearly the more aggressive fighter, but "The Count" used that to his advantage, sticking, moving and peppering Leben with crisp punches for about 15 minutes. At several moments in the fight, Leben attempted to bait Bisping into a brawl by dropping his hands and sticking his chin out to get punched. The Brit didn't bite. In the end, both their faces told the tale on this one -- Leben was battered and Bisping looked as if he went untouched.
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The only thing i saw that changed from leben was his cardio and leg licks.
by alex on Oct 19, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
way off topic but how disappointing has “the africa assassin” been. damn right embarrassing.
by bradpittfightclub on Oct 19, 2008 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"the africa assassin" been. damn right embarrassing."
????…Soko has lost to, two dangerous LHW’s in Machida and Luis banha..IMO-Soko is still a top fighter..Soko was doing very well in the first round..I am actually suprised with how slow of a start, Luis was getting off too..
I knew the whole time Soko was going to lose, on account of he does not do too well agianst great strikers.Also I know Luis Cane is a BAD BAD man…Soko is still a puppy in this sport, and with his skills already, It’s scary to think he is only going to get better…
Dont lose respect for Soko after losing to guys like Machida and Luis because Machida is an undefeated LHW contender, and Cane will be on the same path in no time..
If Soko lost to Matt Hammil, I could see your point..
by Stagger-Lee on Oct 19, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats my point though. he is nowhere near fighting the big boys and he was suppose to at least compete with them. its hard to make a living beating names like hamill and reese.
do you think soko would even last a round with even vera/irvin or franklin at 205? not according to his previous fights.
by bradpittfightclub on Oct 19, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soko would probably smash Vera, and that is coming from a huge Vera fan.IMO- Vera is just not suited to be fighting at LHW..He cant deal with cutting weight..I say give Brandon back to the HW division..
Soko would also smash Irvin as well…Actually that would have been a perfect opponant for Soko..And I think Franklin would be a great match-up for him as well..
My main point above, is that Soko should not have taken fights agianst Machida and Banha..Soko is still very young in the sport, and has mad skill already..He should have taken the Hammil, Irvin, then on to guys like Franklin, and the Jardine type, before going straight at Machida…
Bottom line is, Soko is not done by a long shot..I have mad props for the guy for taking fights like he did, but maybe now he will sit back and fight some lower end LHW’s and build a comfort zone…The guy has tons of potential, and I for one will certainly not be “writing him off” so early in his career..
btw- I knew he was going to lose anyways.Luis Cane is a BAD BAD man…If anything Soko impressed me by making it through round one(which he won that round too)…
by Stagger-Lee on Oct 19, 2008 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vera is not suited for the Heavyweight division either. He is way too small to fight the likes of Carwin, Vasquez, and Brock. Vera’s problem is that he just isn’t that good. The heavyweight division was weak when he was winning fights, and the guys that he fought that were good just beat him.
by naturalshadow on Oct 20, 2008 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whew, after all the smack talk for Leben I’ve been doing, I have actually been dreading coming and posting on here. From what little I’ve read so far, people in general enjoyed this fight. Me? Not so much. And that’s not for the fact that Leben lost, but for the way this fight went down in general. First, let me say congrats to Bisping for an intelligent gameplan, and for sticking to said plan. So Tony and the rest of my British friends, I hope you cats had a good night of celebration and partying. Now, why didn’t I like this fight? It started off interestingly enough. Leben with some nice legkicks for a change. But you would think that if all of us on Mania could predict his overall strategy, Leben should’ve known Bisping could predict it too. Here’s a hint Leben: you’re ability for taking punishment is downright AMAZING, but realize this will kill you in points if you take SO much. Learn to move your head 2-3 inches in either direction, try avoiding a few shots maybe. He had to chase Bisping all over the d@mn place, then Bisping would step in with that f’in jab. Maybe I just wanted them to slug it out more, I don’t know. I know I’ve commented/defended Machida for this fighting style (and Forrest for that matter when he fought Rampage), but if this is the up and coming trend in MMA I am most certainly going to change my opinion. Leben spent 15 minutes looking for that ONE good punch, the Count knew simply to work the scorecards. What kills me, and I mean it was KILLING me, was how Bisping landed what seemed like a hundred shots to Leben, and not one did any damage. WHOA, now kids, I know Leben’s face looked like ground beef at the end there, so hold the comments for a moment. But at the end, when Leben stalked him with his hands down, and took two of Bispings’ best punches AND a headkick, it didn’t even make Leben blink, much less move his head. So I’ll the Count props for being “crisp”, but I stick with my opinion that he holds almost no 1 punch KO power. I’ll end it with Bisping is most certainly a well rounded fighter, but he won’t hold any titles save for Forrest’s “can’t bust a grape” title. Leben, you are more than simply a brawler, try showing it sometime.
by chefdaddy on Oct 20, 2008 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great effort by Leben but I was hoping he would try more takedowns. he definetely came to entertain the fans and knockout Bisping. Bisping didnt have the balls to stand toe to toe but he still outskilled Leben,using his speed cardio and big octagon to his advantage. This is the first time I thought Bisping was afraid in the octagon. He showed a lot of respect for Lebens power. If they fought in a 6 foot by 6 foot square, Leben probably would have won. Bisping vs Silva may be coming up.If he wants to beat Silva, he better come out swinging because he wont outskill Anderson Silva.
by MARK RUNCA on Oct 21, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was impressed with Leben, But I think he needs to join a good training camp and get a decent coach. if you added a technical game to his unatural toughness you would have one serious contender.
He has age on his side but he needs to try to find some speed from somewhere.
Having zero knowledge about MMA training I dont know if the required speed is something that he could be tought.
by Confused on Oct 19, 2008 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He needs to work on his head movement too.
by JMoney on Oct 19, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why didnt leben try something different? maybe some takedowns? he played right into bispings hands and did what we all though he would and thats headhunt with his left hand, and obviously, bisping was ready for that… i think he was a bit ignorant for this fight and didnt have a good game plan
by brendan on Oct 19, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have never seen a slow punching fighter become a fast punching fighter due to changing camps or any other method
by Robert on Oct 19, 2008 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good morning guys:
First and foremost, I have a newfound respect and liking for chris leban. I watched a bit of the countdown, and liked seeing the maturation process.
,
Now to UFC89. OK, I’m not going to lie, I would rather buy a ppv and not have to sit through 60+ commercials, but free mma is good for some. The voice overs at the begining and end of each round is taking it too far! For those of you who don’t know what that is, it was the promos and ads added after the fight. Goldie’s voice is lower and it’s obviously added.
To the fights:
I’ve always been a Bisping supporter, and have predicted for months he will get a title shot by the end of the year. (trackback). He proved tonight why I have that opinion! He wasn’t just Machida elusive, he dished out tons of punishment too. I though he looked crisp and quick, and is very humble and down to earth for a brit.
.
Vera is done. he’s in there for a paycheck and it’s over for me! I’m not a fan of Jardine, but I can’t believe it was a split decision…please tell me what round (s) vera won. His performance was pathetic and he should be embarrassed!
.
I was thoroughly impressed with Soku…for 90 seconds. I was hoping he’d get ko’d and my wife laughed when I got my wish.
. Lytle needs to pace himself! He looked good, but have some discipline!
overall I guess it was good (it was free), the next few ppv’s look great though in comparison. Is Cote and GSP dating?
.
.
.
GO RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!
by kevin (most moderated guy on mmamania) on Oct 19, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
how many times do you plan on posting this same sh*t?
by shamo84 on Oct 19, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree Leben looked like a 1 dimensional fighter against Bisping.
by Couch Champ on Oct 19, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Leben did get a takedown in the fight.
But yeah Leben’s style has always really made me mad, he always goes out there and just throws big loopy punches, his fights are fun to watch for a KO, but you see that a crisp boxer can defeat the brawler almost any day. Leben needs to start working on ground game and crisp boxing. That’s when he would be dangerous.
by "Mr. NC-17" on Oct 19, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When he took down Bisping it almost looked like he didnt know what to do with him on the ground. Lebens punching didnt look very good at all.
by RiverHorror on Oct 19, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leben’s punching has never looked good. EVER. With him being defeated by Michael Bisping, this just shows you how B level of a fighter Chris Leben is.
by "Mr. NC-17" on Oct 19, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How is Leben’s style any different than Wandy’s? Everyone acts as if Wandy is a God, yet their styles are identical.
by SDMMA on Oct 19, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except Wandi is explosive, has fast hands and has actually beaten big names…
by brendan on Oct 19, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you…..please don’t compare the two
by Robert on Oct 19, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
damn, i lost alot of money on Leben last night.
Luiz Cane vs Chuck Liddell
Anyone like????
by belfort_fan on Oct 19, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why would chuck fight someone like him? he could fight bigger names for more money.. Vera/Chuck or the winner of shogun/coleman or machida/thiago could be good.
by weoweoweo on Oct 19, 2008 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasnt refering to the benefit of Chuck, Rather the befefit of Cane. i think he could beat chuck.
by belfort_fan on Oct 19, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be a good fight. Assuming Chuck shows up.
by RiverHorror on Oct 19, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this would definately make chuck look like a monster (if the classic chuck shows up) – he’d rip through cane
by Insain on Oct 19, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The same Chuck always shows up, it is just that when he fights someone with a decent gameplan he gets beaten, I had no doubt that both Jardine and Evans would beat him, and they did. Wandy had no gameplan whatsoever and he just stood there and wanted to bang with Chuck, playng to Chucks strengths and making Chuck look good in the process. I knew that Rashad would not be so stupid. Chuck is more predictable than Leban when he fights at least Leban is going for submissions and take downs and doing a lot more kicks now. When Chuck gets beaten by someone who fights smart and implements a decent gameplan, his fans say the real Chuck didn’t show up or try not to give credit where it is due. but whenever he knocks someone out with exactly the same fighting style which never changes, it Chuck is back or the real Chuck showed up. Chuck should either fight Vera or Houton next, because that is who he desrves until he proves something different. The fight with Wandy was definately good to watch, but Wandy standing in front of him with no gameplan at all just getting hit, just showed me how well Wandy can take a punch. Luiz Cane would take Chuck out.
by Ade on Oct 20, 2008 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tried to stay awake but fell asleep after 2 rounds of Jardine/Vera. From the recaps it looks like I didn’t miss much, although I do regret missing Bisping beating Chris Leben up. Leben – no one would miss him if he disappeared from the UFC.
by Graham on Oct 19, 2008 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Actualy a lot of people like the guy and would miss him. Not me though, I cant stand the guy.
by RiverHorror on Oct 19, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand why people dislike leben (hes obviously an asshole). But i think he deserves respect just for the heart he shows, hes never given up and definitely hasnt had it easy.
by medecine balls on Oct 19, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew that would happen with Bisping/Leben. Ive always thought that Bisping was a great technician. He proved it this time. I hope I dont have to read a hundred posts about how Bisping sucks. He fought the absolute smartest fight that he possibly could have. That really shows alot about how he is as a fighter. He is fast, smart, and just an all around good fighter. He has all the tools to be a champ. The only real question now, is if he is able to bring the proper game plan to Silva. Or Cote?
Leben really does need to start evolving as a fighter. It really showed that he has no real game at all. He is just a puncher with a punchers chance. Thats it. Bottom line. He got peppered the entire night with no answers.
Vera = Done I wont be surprsied if his contract is cut very short. There is no excuse for this fight. He isnt “The Truth” any longer. Really tho, where was Jardine? Neither one came to fight. They both came to “not lose”.
Soko……………..
Lytle… he put on a good show. I like seeing vets go in to fights aggressive and dominant. It is even better when they do it to up and comers. The old lion did great in this battle. The young lion has some new found respect for Lytle. The respect should go both ways tho. Good battle.
All in all, it wasnt the best night of fights. Really, they didnt match up to the hype at all. Im glad about the Bisping fight… I hoped that he fought it that way. The Lytle fight was the only other fight that I even found to be interesting. I really saw alot of fighters who came to not lose rather than kick someones ass. Hopefully we get to see some serious fighting next event.
by enzo-enormous on Oct 19, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bisping… Sucks…
Ok he played the smartest game and didn’t get baited, but you honestly believe he could stand with Silva? I think the only way he’d make it out of the first round is if he just ran in circles. Maybe he’d land one punch and then just run away trying to get another decision.
Leben… Sucks…
When your strongest attribute is being able to eat a punch you’ve got now where to go, didn’t he ever watch Rocky 4?
Luis Cane is the real deal.
by Arnold on Oct 20, 2008 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In MMA, it takes a fair amount of skill to box against an opponent that isn’t interested in playing that kind of a game.
It’s Leben’s own fault for not being able to slow Bisping down or close the distance, by whatever means necessary – leg kicks, clinching, going to the ground and keeping the fight there, whatever.
He threw a lot more leg kicks than he used to but they were ineffective, couldn’t maintain a clinch, and did a mediocre job taking Bisping down. (and the couple of times he managed to get things to the ground, did no damage and couldn’t keep Bisping from standing up)
There was not a single thing he had going for him in that fight besides his chin, and that’s not enough. If he thinks he’s in the business of amusing people by getting busted up like an idiot, he ought to go on tour with Stev-O and pound nails through his sack or something…
by MattNY on Oct 19, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really like Leben, but if he used his overall game better he would have won that fight prob 7/10 times ..
If he mixed it up more and went for more take downs it would have thrown Bisping a little more off balance , while being able to score points with the judges..
Though I don’t think it would have mattered..
I think Leben went into that fight thinking if it went to the Judges in that country no way Bisping loses, so he tried to bait him the whole fight
by Robby on Oct 19, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bisping was never loosing that fight doesn’t matter how many times you run through the fight, Bisping had Lebens number.
I dont know what you are trying to say about the judging but 99.9% of the people who saw the fight agree bisping won it fair and square, like two of the judges I had him winning 30-27, Leben was just completely ineffective.
Like Leben said himself “I was playing every card I had” He didn’t have any other ‘Game’ to bring to the fight.
by Confused on Oct 19, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
leben looked good…bisping ran,it was a great gameplan. he stayed away from lebens big left. great fight
by tex mex on Oct 19, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You guys shouldn’t be so hard on Leben. He rocked Bisping a few times. Leben was never in serious trouble. Only a little cut up/bruised. I Bisping wants to fight for a title he’ll need to bring more to the table.
by Brandon on Oct 19, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
people need to get off lebens back he is not an asshole and he was very respectful towards mike after the fight,bisping fought a good plan and had a 3 inch height advantage and 5 inches of reach tough fight for anybody especially when the person with the reach just backs up and counters,chris did rock him a few times and bisping even admitted it and said he had woobly legs at aone point and yea he banged chris face up but didnt hurt him 1 bit hence leben was giving him freebies,good fight ,like mike,love leben
by iceman on Oct 19, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He was giving him “freebies” with ten seconds left in the fight, when it was obvious he’d lost, and it no longer mattered.
However he might have changed, Leben clearly still likes to posture and mug for the crowd.
It’s pathetic, really, the way he needs to make himself feel better after a loss by asking for a pat on the head from the crowd. “Did I give you guys what you came here tonight for? Do you guys really, really like me?”
by MattNY on Oct 19, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s one ugly ass mofo haha, but so good!
by kestin on Oct 19, 2008 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Props to both Leben and Mike. Mike used Forrest’s gameplan against Rampage,(hit and run). Leben showed heart but not enuff skill.
Leben, if ur out there, can i come train with you?
LOL
…no really, can i?
by Gweedo on Oct 20, 2008 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yes and that won him the fight.. it’s good to win a fight, but there’s more on the line than just sticking and moving and just throwing weak shots at your opponent to win.. Bisping needs to be more impressive not only for england but for the whole europe! if more guys had that gameplan, a former pro boxer like Sakara could stick and move his way to victory too, but he actually tries to finish fights and that’s exciting for the fans who is extremely important for the sport..
by RoB on Oct 20, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really thought Leben was going to win this one the same way he did with Terry Martin.
by Dr_D_Sanchez on Oct 20, 2008 8:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RoB, i understand and thats true. But look at Paul Kelly and Paul Taylor who both put on exciting fights and lost!!!
by Gweedo on Oct 20, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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