| Sign Up | Google+

Chris Leben: 'When I am right and focused, I don’t see anyone beating me'

Stay connected for news and updates

Let's hope for Mark Munoz's sake that Chris Leben isn't right in the head on Saturday night.

That's because "The Philippine Wrecking Machine" will be asked to go five rounds against "The Crippler" in the main event of UFC 138 on Nov. 5 from the LG Arena at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.

The middleweight headliner, which will air via same day tape delay at 8 p.m. ET on Spike TV, will be the promotion's first-ever five round non-title fight.

And with it comes 185-pound title implications.

Leben tells the amiable Bryan Levick that he has the tools and the heart to get it done across the pond, now all he needs is the focus:

"For me I always knew what type of fighter I could be. I knew I had the physical tools and the heart, but truthfully my biggest enemy has always been me. When I am right and focused, I don’t see anyone beating me. The biggest difference has to be doing the right thing. It has to do with more of a focus on training and taking better care of myself ... As long as I am healthy, I’d like to think I can compete for another four or five years. As long as I can be competitive and enjoying myself then we’ll see where this ride takes me."

Leben was pounded out by Brian Stann at UFC 125 earlier this year to bring a halt to his three-fight win streak, one that included impressive stoppages over Aaron Simpson and Yoshihiro Akiyama back in 2010.

"The Crippler" rebounded by dimming the lights for Wanderlei Silva at UFC 132 in July with a vicious first round knockout, one that could easily propel him to the front of the 185-pound pack if he's able to replicate that performance on Saturday night.

But don't expect Munoz to make it easy for him.

Anyone agree that Leben can be best in class if he's "right and focused?" Or has he taken one too many shots to the head?

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Recent Posts

Stay connected for news and updates

The Next Read

There are 78 Comments. Load Now. Loading

Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.

C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read

R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next

Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read

Comment Settings

Live comment alert: Hide it!

Comments for this post are closed.

tracking_pixel_5349_tracker tracking_pixel_5351_tracker