In a fight that is likely the last of Chris Leben’s UFC career, the veteran of the very first The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) was defeated by TUF 17 winner Uriah Hall via TKO after Leben, nearly finished with strikes in the first round, told his corner and ringside officials he no longer wished to keep fighting at UFC 168.
Leben never was able to get much going. As the bell sounded to start the fight, Hall landhed a flying knee. A visibly hurt Leben tried to clinch, but Hall was able to circle out. Leben spent time pursuing, but Hall just kept moving backwards to avoid the strikes and time Leben as he stood still. This went on for several minutes and Hall landed a few knees to the body, but spent an inordinate amount of time backpedaling. Leben conencted with an inside leg kick, but ate an elbows and series of jabs. Towards the end of the frame, however, Leben ate a monster right and collapsed alongside the fence. Hall followed up, but couldn’t put Leben away before the end of the round.
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However, Leben told his corner and ringside officials he no longer wished to continue and the fight was halted before the second round began. The conclusion is officially a TKO win at 5:00 of round 1. Hall moves to 8-4 in MMA while Leben drops to 22-11.