Chris Leben Talks About Replacing Wanderlei Silva At UFC 116

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Posted by: Corey Santiago
UFC Middleweight, Chris Leben has revealed what happened when the UFC called him about replacing Wanderlei Silva at UFC 116 to fight Yoshihiro Akiyama in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Speaking via BJPenn.com, Leben said:

“The UFC called me and they said Wanderlei was hurt and they want me to fight Akiyama. You know, I had a great showing on Saturday night, I left Vegas early, didn’t go out and party, hopped on the first flight home and I got the call the next day. I figured, ‘Hey, I’m still in great shape, I’m not hurt, a couple bumps and bruises but nothing bad’. With this opportunity, there was just no way I could turn down this opportunity it’s just huge.”

“At first I said no because I woke up in the morning, my phone was ringing and I was sore and it doesn’t make sense to take a fight when you’re not prepared and training for it. But then as I thought about it, you know, I’m a fighter, this is what I do. Why would I not take a great opportunity? It would be stupid of me. Not to mention that but I want to be a company man with the UFC, I want them to be happy with me.”

Leben also gave his thoughts on Akiyama, saying:

“I don’t know a ton about Akiyama. My coach knows a bunch, but we haven’t even had a chance to talk much about our game plan. I saw him fight Alan Belcher and to be honest with you, I thought he lost that fight. He’s a good Judo guy, he’s got great Judo, fast kicks, maybe not the most power in the world. He’s a little bit shorter than me but he’s a good strong guy. I think that utilizing my skills, keeping it on the feet and clubbing him in the head with my left shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

Leben now comes into the Co-Main Event of the night at UFC 116 on July 3. This will be a huge jump for Leben who was suspended for performing enhancing drugs over a year ago.

This is a huge chance for Leben. It is a little crazy to take a fight after fighting last week, but it would be dmub not to. He is stepping into the co-main event and that is a huge jump for Leben.

I thought he beat Belchar in their fight, but there's more than a few people who thought differently. I still think we'll see Sexyyama/Wanderlei sometime down the line though, regardless of who wins this fight.