Okay, well, he wasn't exactly arrested, it's just that the headline is a bit snappier that saying "Chris Leben turns himself into the police after violating the terms of his parole from a 2005 DUI".
Anyway, Chris Leben turned himself into the authorities yesterday after violating the terms of his parole as outlined in a DUI arrest in 2005. A bench warrant was issued for Leben after it was determined that he had not completed certain terms of the parole before moving to Hawaii to train in 2007.
Leben turned himself in as soon as he was made aware of the warrant. Which some would call amiable, and others would call obvious. It is great that Leben is willing to own up to his mistakes, but it is also obvious since any issues with possible jail time could cripple The Crippler's career in the UFC.
Leben is looking to secure a visa for his fight against Michael Bisping at UFC that is set in London, England, for UFC 85 in June.
Is anyone surprised at this? Leben as a DUI? He left the country without finding out if he could?
Perhaps the most surprising is that his actions show a considerable amount of growth from the rampaging and sulking kid on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter to the main card UFC fighter he has become.
Only time will tell if he (or higher ups in the UFC) will be able to secure his visa in time for his fight with Bisping.
comments (5) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
Yes, its true that DUI has become a serious crime. But you dont get parole unless you go th prison. He violated the terms of his probation. This country hands out rather complicated terms of probation for just about anything nowadays, and it is completely understandable that he would not know he would be in violation. The crime would be if he did'nt get to fight Bisping over a victimless crime. Yes the legal system insists that they are taken seriously, but the average Joe is'nt inclined to take them as seriously as they take themselves. But what the hay! Live and learn, I always say. I personally hope that Criss gets the okay, and does what he does best, fight like a madman! I could have guess he did'nt have a legal mind. Ya know, now that I think about it, maybe they do call it parole in... was it Oregon?
5 months ago
And there is also the possibility that he actually thought he had completed all the terms of his probation. It isn't unheard of that someone was given incorrect information from law enforcement.
I also agree that it would be pretty sad if the fight didn't happen because of it. It will be a good test of Bisping's standup to go against a proven striker with a tough chin.
5 months ago
I hope that he will be able to fight Bisping. That fight would be a slugfest, and a good indicator of Bisping's adjustment to 185 pounds.
4 months ago
Leben received 35 days for the offense. He felt that he would not be able to train properly for the fight and has pulled out. Jason "Dooms" Day has replaced him against Bisping.
from 4 months ago
I heard. Too bad, I would have liked to see how Bisping handled Leben's striking and iron (though not Silva-proof) jaw. Still, Day is a solid all-around fighter and should be a good fight.
write a new comment