Chris Leben is on the comeback trail.
Im back!
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) February 6, 2016
Bellator head cheese Scott Coker announced his promotion's signing of "The Crippler" on last night's (Fri., Feb. 5, 2016) episode of Inside MMA. Leben retired after a fourth straight loss in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to karate specialist Urijah Hall at UFC 168 in Dec. 2013.
The wild and wacky personality, famous for his antics on the inaugural season of the infamous UFC reality show, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), just released a tell all book about his topsy-turvy upbringing and career in mixed martial arts (MMA).
Leben's track record since he put down his four-ounce gloves has included a four-month stint in a California jail for multiple charges, including felony possession of an assault weapon and misdemeanor vandalism, stemming from an altercation with his ex-wife back in June 2015.
In addition to that, the 35-year-old veteran of 33 professional fights received three years probation. You can have a look at Leben's side of the story here.
Over the last couple of years, he has focused his efforts on the coaching aspect, teaching at One Training Center in Spring Valley, Cali.
Leben will still need to pass physical examinations before he becomes an official member of Bellator's 185-pound division. There is also no current timetable for his debut.
Leben becomes the third high profile fighter to sign with Bellator in the last week. Former UFC lightweight chmapion Benson Henderson took more money up front, as well as an immediate 170-pound title shot, and signed with the Viacom-owned promotion.
Then, just a few days ago, revered Russian heavyweight and ex-Strikeforce veteran Sergei Kharitonov linked back up with his old boss, Coker.
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