Update: According Mike Swick, Chris Leben has declined this bout, which would have taken place at UFC Fight Night 11 on September 19 -- not UFC 76.
Former castmates on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Mike Swick (10-2) and Chris Leben (16-4) could possibly meet at UFC 76 on September 22 in Anaheim, California.
Although no bout agreements have been signed, UFCmania received the news earlier today on good authority that the rematch is in the works.
The two first tangled at WEC 9: "Cold Blooded" back in 2004. "The Crippler" won that fight in the second round via knockout (Video here).
Then, one year later, the middleweights were featured on the TUF reality series. Neither fighter made it past the semifinals on the show.
Swick is coming off of just his second career loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 69 in April. Immediately following the bout, Swick publicly stated numerous times that he would drop down to welterweight and test the waters against fighters more his size.
It's unclear whether or not those plans have been put on hold or this fight will be held at welterweight. However, I find it hard to believe that if this match up does indeed happen at UFC 76 that both Swick and Leben would dip down to 170.
Time will tell.
Leben -- a nine-fight UFC veteran -- has dropped three of his last four bouts inside the Octagon. The most recent of which was a unanimous decision loss to Kalib Starnes at UFC 71 in May. He has talked recently about bolting for other promotions such as Icon, but if this turns out to be accurate, it looks like those plans are also on hold.
Interesting rematch to say the least. Things are still a little foggy at this point, however, so stick around for additional updates on this fight and others at UFC 76.
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