Chris Leben ready to showcase his skills as a TUF coach opposite Wanderlei Silva
by Jesse Holland on Jul 14, 2010 5:31 PM EDT
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"[Coaching TUF] would absolutely be huge for me. I mean, I am a coach, that's what I do. I have my own gym with a whole group of guys that I train. I'd love the opportunity to get on TV and really showcase my skills and let the world see. I've changed quite a bit from the first season from that cocky, punk kid. I'm a mixed martial artists and I'm a fantastic coach. Besides that opportunity, Wanderlei Silva is my favorite fighter. By coming up and watching him and watching the wars that he's fought, I absolutely love the guy and I'd like to think I somewhat model my fighting style after his. Who doesn't want to go out and take out their hero?"
Former TUF contestant Chris Leben hopes to eventually return to the Spike TV reality show as a coach against Wanderlei Silva after submitting highly-regarded Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 116: "Lesnar vs. Carwin" on July 3 in Las Vegas. Following his TKO of Aaron Simpson at the June 16 TUF 11 Finale, "The Crippler" was flown in as a late replacement for the injured Brazilian, 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 former PRIDE champ. Will the UFC hold out for Leben vs. Silva on TUF 13 while Wandy heals from recent injuries?
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His last two fights really changed my opinion of him.
I’m sure the UFC will wait, they seem capable of waiting for any fight.
If I'm free it's cos I'm always running - Jimi Hendrix
by Jimi_kiss the sky on Jul 14, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Wanderlei and Leben on TUF would be cool
I especially like the idea of Wanderlei on there, it would further introduce him to the “casual fan” and let them see the guy we all love and respect.
I’ve seen both Leben and Wanderlei talk about wanting this fight (on more that one occasion) and they need to keep bringing it up so Uncle Dana will eventually give in. It would be a hell of a fight and I want to see it.
this would prob be the 1st ever tuf i wouldnt watch...
cant stand that drug cheat leben and wandy is DONE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PWyOrw6rNg
- The reason you gotta respect Rampage, if not love him!
by Randy for Couture on Jul 15, 2010 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
It would be the first TUF season I would actually watch... I usually only watch the fights on MMATKO the next day
But with Wandy and Leben it would be fun times.
Bullets dodge Fedor.
Both good points
I agree Wandy could use the exposure as a TUF coach, and I can see Leben getting decent ratings from die-hard TUF fans; however, I don’t know that these two together can pull in the average viewer like a Brock Lesnar or Randy Couture could.
And i agree, Leben’s steroid use is still a little too fresh for him to be forgiven quite yet. I’m a huge Leben fan, but he really disappointed me. But damn if i don’t want to see this fight happen!
All that said, I’m in favor of a Leben/Wandy TUF matchup (despite it probably not getting good enough ratings to be a possibility in Dana’s eyes). The one thing I HATE about TUF is when it features a champion as a coach. There is simply no reason to tie up a championship belt / an entire division for the sake of a TUF season. We only have 5 champs in the UFC; so unless Dana wants to start adding weight classes (220, 195, 145, 135), enough with using champs as TUF coaches!
by Adam Wagner on Jul 15, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I've always liked Leben. I was a little dissapointed after the steriod thing.
But he manned up and admitted his mistake.
He is really campaigning hard for this TUF thing. Must be some pretty good money in it as well. I would much rather this than holding up another title.
I'm always right, even when I'm wrong.
agreed, i want TUF to be coaching/hype for the two contestants to be the #1 contender
the contender has hype from the show and the champ is sidelined for months
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 14, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
yep. since TUF1 i been a fan
Great attitude. Awesome sense of humor. Just totally comes across as a guy I’d love to chill with. Have a few and talk about his journey. Go Crippler! Smack Koscheck sometime!
GSP is the #1 P4P fighter in the world. My top 5 P4P list is.
1 GSP
2 Anderson Silva
3 Fedor Emelianenko
4 BK Penn
5 Jose Aldo
by daniel worby on Jul 14, 2010 7:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
he's becoming more and more technical and i like that.
It would be awesome if he could improve on his defense cause he’s going to get knocked out sooner or later.
Come at me bro!
wand will do that
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 14, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
i just can't see any possible way Leben vs Wandy ends without a "Wow!"
GSP is the #1 P4P fighter in the world. My top 5 P4P list is.
1 GSP
2 Anderson Silva
3 Fedor Emelianenko
4 BK Penn
5 Jose Aldo
by daniel worby on Jul 14, 2010 8:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You guys are too quick to change your opinion
Im not one to hold grudges but the guys done some dumb shit… going AWOL from the army, using steroids, making stupid comments about MMA/fighters… I dont see how just two fights can totally erase all that but hey, to each their own
by xquisitewretch on Jul 14, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
i have always semi-liked leben, but ive gained respect and like him a whole lot more now
i dont judge a fighter on his personal. same with Tiger, Kobe, etc.
Hes a tough SOB who has grown as a fighter and has the balls to fight anyone anywhere. He fights back to back in two weeks (making him right around 300k) and is calling out one scary Mfer in Wand.
i could give a shit about his daddy issues and going AWOL, etc.
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 14, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Rerminds me of my brother-in-law.
Genuine, humble, and real.
Fuck-up, idiot, and don’t even think about lending him money.
No need to shit on the guy his entire life because he's made some mistakes in the past.
He has said and done some stupid things but the way he’s been carrying himself over the past 18 or so months says a lot about where he is maturity wise. He’s come a long way and if he continues on the straight and narrow the fans will continue to gravitate toward him.
not really man
they do 2 shows a year and Wand is already out 7 or 8 months so it actually fits perfect.
exactly, thats why tuf is so fucking retarded and pointless now...
the fighters get worse and worse…look at season 1..
forrest, koscheck, kenflo, leben, bonner, etc….that season has like a third of its roster still fighting in the ufc…
now it really means nothing to be a tuf winner…or finalist…travis luetter, grove, danzig, no one gives a fuck about these dudes…even finalists like ed herman no one gives a fuck about…manny gambo couldnt hack it and went to the wec…it means nothing…these fighters are garbage…
and you put fighters on the shelf for half a year or more
the brockness monster grinds up teenagers and puts them in his protein shakes..and uses razor blades to chop toddlers up into lines to snort like meth...the reason no one can find bigfoot is because the brockness monster found him years ago and now has him in numerous ziplock bags in the back of his freezer...
and like you said about leben, that fight wont happen till next summer...so leben will be on the shelf for a WHOLE FUCKING YEAR...all because of this GODDAMN REALITY SHOW
fights twice in 2 weeks…
THEN TAKES A WHOLE FUCKING YEAR OFF
the brockness monster grinds up teenagers and puts them in his protein shakes..and uses razor blades to chop toddlers up into lines to snort like meth...the reason no one can find bigfoot is because the brockness monster found him years ago and now has him in numerous ziplock bags in the back of his freezer...
Mr. Go dumb
Im almost positive that the GSP/Kos season is in the middle of filming right now or almost done. go look it up buddy!
yep
It is getting worse and worse. I like Big Country, but that HW season was one of the worst ever. This last season, we will see talent wise (court is a tough SOB), but from an entertainment standpoint, no bueno. The fights really aren’t that great.
"We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
you think leben might be campaiging for a spot on tuf
because he realizes that it probably only has a few more seasons left before the numbers fall off and it gets canceled? or does the show just pay really well?
weather or not they coach against each other on tuf, i want to see this fight happen
never have any regrets, because at the time, thats all you wanted to do
True
Last season was hood bc the trash talk between coaches.. This past season chuck and Tito were lame, the diggs sucked ass everyone got hurt.. The intro where they had to fight on to the show was awesome bc there were like a shit load of KOs.. I think the GSP Season will b boring.. GSP doesn’t seem to b a trash talker, atleast a good one! Kos will piss him off but I think it will b hella lame!..
But a season between wandi and leden could b better, if u could understand WTF wandi was saying.. It would b like having James Toney on there u need freakin subtitles for that guy
by 1stRdKO on Jul 14, 2010 11:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
True
Last season was hood bc the trash talk between coaches.. This past season chuck and Tito were lame, the diggs sucked ass everyone got hurt.. The intro where they had to fight on to the show was awesome bc there were like a shit load of KOs.. I think the GSP Season will b boring.. GSP doesn’t seem to b a trash talker, atleast a good one! Kos will piss him off but I think it will b hella lame!..
But a season between wandi and leden could b better, if u could understand WTF wandi was saying.. It would b like having James Toney on there u need freakin subtitles for that guy
by 1stRdKO on Jul 14, 2010 11:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love Chris idea
I’m sick of seeing champs sidelined for so long. Why not just have coaches that can hype a big exciting fight? I enjoyed seeing Leben on TUF1 and wouldn’t mind seeing him on tv again. This would also give Wandi some time to heal up. Plus I’m sure Leben could use a break after the punches he took in those two fights. Everyone enjoys seeing Leben and Wandi fight. Why not have them compete against each other in what could be e legendary fight? Leben already coaches fighters and Wandi has his own gym. They know what to do. Make it happen Dana!
I think he'd be a great coach
But I think he’s a bit far removed from a top tier to really be a coach
Shogun lost a close decision! Everyone get crazy!
and i say if someone is gonna be a coach then they should have at LEAST headlined a major ppv...and leben has never headlined a major show
the brockness monster grinds up teenagers and puts them in his protein shakes..and uses razor blades to chop toddlers up into lines to snort like meth...the reason no one can find bigfoot is because the brockness monster found him years ago and now has him in numerous ziplock bags in the back of his freezer...
Why?
Greg Jackson has never headlined a PPV but is an excellent coach. Leben is a coach and a fighter. He headlined with Michael Bisping. It wasn’t a PPV but he has still been on several UFC cards.and plus, we all know who Wandi is and what he brings to the table.
I agree
I think he definitely deserves it, especially after these last two fights. He probably deserves it more than a lot of people. Would make for a good season.
He Doesnt Deserve Coach Status Yet
Sure he would be marketable, but he isnt worthy of taking on a team on his shoulders. He would have to win once more this year to be at the level of what I want my coach to be at
by AintNoSunshine on Jul 14, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
+2
"I heard a loud crackle sound. He did not tap so I thought 'Ok, this match just became a death-fight' and I was going to destroy his leg."
Shinya Aoki on his fight with Kawajiri at Dream 15
Do you have more respect for a coach
who has actually competed at the highest level of mma and succeeded or does someone like GJ or Hackleman who don’t have that experience?
"We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
I don't mind Leben
but no way I am rooting for him against Wandy. No friggin way.
"We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
+1
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 14, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
you can root for him but wanderlei has seen too many brutal battles and now surgery.
leben is 5 years younger and hungrier imo. i respect wanderlei silva but his best days were in pride. leben is climbing while silva is declining. silva is 2-3 since he has been back and leben is 5-2. i just hope the odds are in my favor.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. Glory favors the bold. Chance favors the prepared mind. Luck, well i have that too. University of Utah goes to the Pac-12 conference in 2011. I expect them to compete immediately for the conference CG. I still will always follow the Mountain West Conference. Brock Lesnar will defeat Cain Velasquez and face the winner of Junior Dos Santos vs Roy Nelson where he will defeat JDS and stake his claim as pound for pound champion. Womens MMA, the next big thing in sports. 50 days and counting to the first game of college football. UTAH vs Pitt. September 2nd 2010.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Jul 14, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont like the layoff for leben before this fight. if he's an underdog with nice odds i'd take him but if his recent success and wandis age make him the favorite im not touching it...
i would take either fighter at +150 or higher…
I like the feeling of hunting down what I feed my family. If there’s a beast out there capable of hunting down Brock Lesnar, he would do it and make me the trophy on his den wall. But the laws of nature dictate that I’m going to be the one who goes into the wild and comes home with the evening’s bounty. - The #1 ranked HW in the world...
by DrewMoney$$$ on Jul 14, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Wands better days R behind him but he's still better then leben in pretty much every category!
Wand fought way the hell tougher opponents than leben also. It will be a fun fight till leben goes down in the 1st or 2nd ;) war Wand!!!
by d*locc on Jul 14, 2010 6:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i still think wand looked like crap against bisping.
I like the feeling of hunting down what I feed my family. If there’s a beast out there capable of hunting down Brock Lesnar, he would do it and make me the trophy on his den wall. But the laws of nature dictate that I’m going to be the one who goes into the wild and comes home with the evening’s bounty. - The #1 ranked HW in the world...
by DrewMoney$$$ on Jul 14, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
leben is 5-2 in his last seven with three wins in a row.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. Glory favors the bold. Chance favors the prepared mind. Luck, well i have that too. University of Utah goes to the Pac-12 conference in 2011. I expect them to compete immediately for the conference CG. I still will always follow the Mountain West Conference. Brock Lesnar will defeat Cain Velasquez and face the winner of Junior Dos Santos vs Roy Nelson where he will defeat JDS and stake his claim as pound for pound champion. Womens MMA, the next big thing in sports. 50 days and counting to the first game of college football. UTAH vs Pitt. September 2nd 2010.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Jul 14, 2010 6:17 PM EDT reply actions
He's on a 3 fight win streak... jay silva, aaron simpson, akiyama
"The Red Eye Jedi Holds a 7th Degree Black Belt In BongHitsu"
by Red Eye Jedi on Jul 14, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
he has won 3 in a row since back to back losses to bisping and roshalt...
I like the feeling of hunting down what I feed my family. If there’s a beast out there capable of hunting down Brock Lesnar, he would do it and make me the trophy on his den wall. But the laws of nature dictate that I’m going to be the one who goes into the wild and comes home with the evening’s bounty. - The #1 ranked HW in the world...
by DrewMoney$$$ on Jul 14, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Coach??? Not yet...
He will not be made the coach anytime soon… and shouldn’t be either! To be a coach on TUF you either needs to have a decent star/drawing power and/or trained a few good guys under/with you! I see him failing in both departments…
With that being said he shows a good heart (or lack of intelligent fighting… it’s a fine line)… it sure is fun to watch him fight and I he has earned my respect for this performance in the last 2 fights!
Toney v couture
They should have done toney and couture as coaches so we could see toneys side/back/front kicks lol
by the real mo on Jul 14, 2010 6:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
This would be great...
Similar to Bisping v. Henderson, it would provide a good fight at the end, potentially interesting coaches, and most importantly, not hold up a title belt.
This would not be great....
This would be awful..i hated chris leben in tuf1,i still dont like him…so what he won 2 in a row and now he deserves to be dubbed the next coach for tuf…paleaaase…and im one of the biggest wanderlei silva fans out there,but there is no way i can stand a whole season wit wanderleis english cuz its really bad,id go insane watching that show
"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything" -Malcolm X
Wanderlei knocks this fool out
The only way id see Wanderlei loosing is if he comes in like he did vs Franklin(looking like he had just gone 4 hard rounds before stepping into the cage). So basically its going to come down to how good he recovers from the knee&rib injuries, Lebens chin wont hold up to Wanderlei’s power and anything other then chin defense is not an option for Leben he still has not evovled same style & technique as always.
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
disagreed for many reasons
Hasn’t evolved? Yeah, you’re right. Most of us called him to get his win by submission last Saturday…
GSP is the #1 P4P fighter in the world. My top 5 P4P list is.
1 GSP
2 Anderson Silva
3 Fedor Emelianenko
4 BK Penn
5 Jose Aldo
by daniel worby on Jul 14, 2010 9:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Look guy, I agree Leben has improved either his game or his attitude as a fighter to become more marketable and all but he isn’t the name to rival at Wand coaching in TUF.
"No one wants to be defeated" Michael Jackson on MMA fights
''A man is not finished when he's defeated; he's finished when he quits'' Richard M. Nixon on Fedor's loss
why not? all the TUF kids know who Leben is
.. And all the Old Schoolers know who Wandy is. They have similar styles. Will put on a great fight. They both respect each other. And they both have fantastic personalities. Sounds like a good recipe to me.
GSP is the #1 P4P fighter in the world. My top 5 P4P list is.
1 GSP
2 Anderson Silva
3 Fedor Emelianenko
4 BK Penn
5 Jose Aldo
by daniel worby on Jul 14, 2010 9:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess a huge name to coach against Wand’s team would be greater. Leben is good at 185lbs and probably the best name at the present. But you might agree Wand owns a legend status while Leben is way distant from it.
"No one wants to be defeated" Michael Jackson on MMA fights
''A man is not finished when he's defeated; he's finished when he quits'' Richard M. Nixon on Fedor's loss
by Eduardo Cruz on Jul 14, 2010 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
This idea is more palpable
Than watching Koscheck vs. Georges on TUF. Koscheck is a douche and St. Pierre will be too nice to make good television. Wandy vs. Leben on the other hand, awesomeness.
Minowaman forever
Agreed Nick_Fish. I don’t attend TUF but would rather seeing Wand vs Leben than the welterweight coaches.
"No one wants to be defeated" Michael Jackson on MMA fights
''A man is not finished when he's defeated; he's finished when he quits'' Richard M. Nixon on Fedor's loss
by Eduardo Cruz on Jul 15, 2010 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I got 2 admit I got more respect for leben seeing how he talks about Wand!
He’s showing a lot of respect & it’s going 2 be an exciting fight for sure.
by d*locc on Jul 14, 2010 11:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
leben really wants to be on tuf hahahah
They should do TUF only with fighters who are champions and contenders.
Or a good grudge match, but i have no interest in seeing a build up to a meaningless fight
Leg kicks are the most underrated weapon in MMA
by robinhorobson on Jul 15, 2010 7:56 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
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