UFC 162 will go down as one of the most historic events in MMA history after Chris Weidman dethroned Anderson Silva as middleweight champion.
More good news was released about the event on Friday, as the Nevada State Athletic Commission confirmed that …
UFC 162 will go down as one of the most historic events in MMA history after Chris Weidman dethroned Anderson Silva as middleweight champion.
More good news was released about the event on Friday, as the Nevada State Athletic Commission confirmed that all of the fighters on the card were tested for performance enhancing drugs, and everyone came back negative.
It’s never a fun subject to hear about an athlete testing positive for a banned substance, but it definitely doesn’t help when that becomes a black mark on an otherwise great show.
UFC 162 is expected to end up as one of the biggest shows for the promotion in 2013.
All 22 fighters on the card were tested, according to Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer.
UFC middleweight Chris Leben fought on the card and has had a couple of run-ins in the past with positive drug test results. Once in 2008, following a fight against Michael Bisping, Leben tested positive for steroids and was suspended for nine months.
Leben then tested positive again, this time for painkillers (oxycodone and oxymorphone), after his fight against Mark Munoz at UFC 138.
Following that positive test and suspension, Leben entered a substance abuse program that was funded by the UFC. As part of his continued treatment, for his last fight at UFC 162, Leben was approved for a therapeutic use exemption to use suboxone, which is used to help patients overcome opiate dependency.
It was the first time the commission had made such an approval for an MMA fighter competing in the state.
All told, the 22 fighters on the card all came back with clean results, which also clears the way for the UFC to forge ahead with the rematch plans for Weidman vs. Silva II.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
(*Another* new castmember? This show has officially jumped the shark.)
Wow.
When it was announced earlier today that Ariel Helwani would be hosting a special edition of The MMA Hour in which “a former champion, and one of the most popular names in the sport, will make a special announcement,” speculation began to light up the interwebs like it was a Simi Valley fireworks show. Was Brock Lesnar announcing his return to the sport? Was Bellator dumb enough to actually buy into Tito Ortiz’s “almost healthy” bait-n-switch? WAS ANDERSON SILVA ABOUT TO RETIRE?!
Simply put; no (thank God), not yet, and are you fucking kidding me? It turns out that the “former champion” is question was actually former WEC light heavyweight champ Brian Stann, who shockingly announced his retirement from the sport following his second round KO loss to Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL 8 last March. Citing a new daughter on the way (his third) as well as a concern for long term injuries related to not only his MMA career but his military career and previous football experience among his reasons for calling it quits, Stann was typically composed and grateful, ensuring Helwani that “I leave fighting having taken more from mixed martial arts than I ever gave.”
(*Another* new castmember? This show has officially jumped the shark.)
Wow.
When it was announced earlier today that Ariel Helwani would be hosting a special edition of The MMA Hour in which “a former champion, and one of the most popular names in the sport, will make a special announcement,” speculation began to light up the interwebs like it was a Simi Valley fireworks show. Was Brock Lesnar announcing his return to the sport? Was Bellator dumb enough to actually buy into Tito Ortiz’s “almost healthy” bait-n-switch? WAS ANDERSON SILVA ABOUT TO RETIRE?!
Simply put; no (thank God), not yet, and are you fucking kidding me? It turns out that the “former champion” is question was actually former WEC light heavyweight champ Brian Stann, who shockingly announced his retirement from the sport following his second round KO loss to Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL 8 last March. Citing a new daughter on the way (his third) as well as a concern for long term injuries related to not only his MMA career but his military career and previous football experience among his reasons for calling it quits, Stann was typically composed and grateful, ensuring Helwani that “I leave fighting having taken more from mixed martial arts than I ever gave.”
When asked if his loss to Silvaplayed any role in his decision, Stann was unapologetic and incredibly straightforward. “Yes, it did….when I lost that fight and I looked at all the time I invested in it, I knew it was time.”
Although his final clash ended in defeat, it’s hard to imagine a better fight for “all-American” to go out on then his epic slugfest with “The Axe Murderer.” The fight encapsulated everything we’ve come to know and love about both Stann and Silva, and was the first highlight that Stann listed when prompted by Helwani.
Fighting in Japan in a main event against Wanderlei Silva, who I remember looking up on the internet when I was in the Marines, was pretty cool. When I look back now I’m like ‘Man. Never in a million years did I think I was gonna fight that guy in a main event in Japan. Never.’
In addition to his future role providing analysis for ACC college football on Fox Sports South, Stann assured Helwani that he would continue to work with the UFC, both behind-the-scenes and at his regular pundit gigs on FOX and FUEL TV.
Well, this is interesting. The Nevada State Athletic Commission didn’t grant any new therapeutic use exemptions (TUE’s) to fighters for last Saturday’s UFC 162 event but they did grant the first ever TUE for prescription opioid Suboxone to Chris Leben.
The middleweight lost a split decision to Andrew Craig at UFC 162. He has been winning an even more important battle for sobriety, however.
MMA Junkie has been following the story. “The veteran fighter’s exemption offers proof of his efforts to get clean following a well-documented struggle with drugs. In November 2011, he tested positive for oxycodone and oxymorphone following a loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138 and was suspended by the UFC for one year. It was the second time the promotion benched him following a positive test for the synthetic anabolic stanozolol in October 2008,” they wrote.
Leben has been to rehab and says he’s been sober for fifteen months. Addiction to pain killers is one of the least-talked about pandemics in MMA so Leben deserves credit for making his struggle public.
The NSAC also deserves credit for recognizing when certain controlled substances should be allowed for use by athletes. Better that Leben take a strong opiod under a doctor’s care while during the training and fighting that causes his body pain, than he self-medicate unbeknownst to anyone.
As for his active MMA career, Leben has now lost three fights in a row, and four out of his last five. He is only thirty two years old but has been fighting professionally for eleven years and that takes a toll on the body and mind.
For his part, Dana White told reporters after UFC 162 that he is concerned for Leben, unsure if the TUF 1 veteran will be kept on in the UFC as a fighter but also seem to express a desire to help Leben stay productive and make a living. “Chris Leben has the type of personality that can go off the deep very easily in a lot of negative ways. I really care about the kid,” White said.
“I like him a lot. I love him. So I’ve got to figure this thing out.”
Well, this is interesting. The Nevada State Athletic Commission didn’t grant any new therapeutic use exemptions (TUE’s) to fighters for last Saturday’s UFC 162 event but they did grant the first ever TUE for prescription opioid Suboxone to Chris Leben.
The middleweight lost a split decision to Andrew Craig at UFC 162. He has been winning an even more important battle for sobriety, however.
MMA Junkie has been following the story. “The veteran fighter’s exemption offers proof of his efforts to get clean following a well-documented struggle with drugs. In November 2011, he tested positive for oxycodone and oxymorphone following a loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138 and was suspended by the UFC for one year. It was the second time the promotion benched him following a positive test for the synthetic anabolic stanozolol in October 2008,” they wrote.
Leben has been to rehab and says he’s been sober for fifteen months. Addiction to pain killers is one of the least-talked about pandemics in MMA so Leben deserves credit for making his struggle public.
The NSAC also deserves credit for recognizing when certain controlled substances should be allowed for use by athletes. Better that Leben take a strong opiod under a doctor’s care while during the training and fighting that causes his body pain, than he self-medicate unbeknownst to anyone.
As for his active MMA career, Leben has now lost three fights in a row, and four out of his last five. He is only thirty two years old but has been fighting professionally for eleven years and that takes a toll on the body and mind.
For his part, Dana White told reporters after UFC 162 that he is concerned for Leben, unsure if the TUF 1 veteran will be kept on in the UFC as a fighter but also seem to express a desire to help Leben stay productive and make a living. ”Chris Leben has the type of personality that can go off the deep very easily in a lot of negative ways. I really care about the kid,” White said.
“I like him a lot. I love him. So I’ve got to figure this thing out.”
While the topic of testosterone replacement therapy and exemptions for it were not a focal point following UFC 162, Chris Leben created a little bit of history for receiving a different exemption.According to Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie, Leben became…
While the topic of testosterone replacement therapy and exemptions for it were not a focal point following UFC 162, Chris Leben created a little bit of history for receiving a different exemption.
According to Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie, Leben became the first fighter to receive an exemption for the prescription opioid medicine Suboxone. The drug is typically used as a replacement therapy for people with a narcotic dependency; something Leben has struggled with in the past.
In 2011, Leben tested positive for oxycodone and oxymorphone following a loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138. That caused the UFC to suspend the former TUF star for a year. It would be the second time the UFC had to take action against Leben. The UFC also suspended him after he tested positive for the synthetic anabolic stanozolol in October 2008.
Leben also had a driving under the influence incident back in 2010 that all but derailed any momentum he had gained after winning three straight in the Octagon.
The hard-hitting southpaw has done everything he can to maintain his sobriety. Leben admitted to attending rehab for an addiction to prescription painkillers and counted 15 months of sobriety. He also moved from his longtime residence of Hawaii to Southern California.
A guy who has struggled with his addiction on a national stage for much of his career, Leben is using his addictive personality in a positive way these days, per John Morgan of MMA Junkie:
“I’m a creature of excess – everything in excess and nothing in moderation,” Leben said. “That’s kind of been my motto for life. So this health thing, and this energy I have, I’m getting addicted to that. It’s a complete rebirth.”
Leben must be in a better place now if he can manage to joke about his prior troubles.
“Well didn’t get the comeback story, but i promise you there will be no relapse story. Gonna stay strong & continue on the path,” he wrote on Twitter following his UFC 162 loss.
Leben‘s skill and ability may be deteriorating inside the cage but at least his willpower and determination to stay clean is going strong outside of it.
At UFC 162, Chris Leben and Andrew Craig squared off in a battle of two heavy-striking middleweights. Even at 32 years old, Leben used his still-intact and legendary chin and toughness to avoid a third-round stoppage. Nevertheless, the younger, st…
At UFC 162, Chris Leben and Andrew Craig squared off in a battle of two heavy-striking middleweights. Even at 32 years old, Leben used his still-intact and legendary chin and toughness to avoid a third-round stoppage. Nevertheless, the younger, stronger, faster Craig got the better of his opponent in a split-decision victory in Saturday night’s final free TV fight.
Leben (22-10) was the more aggressive of the two at the outset, but Craig (9-1) landed more strikes overall and used the clinch to control the action. Craig blended hard counter shots, big combinations, knees from the Thai plumm and even some late takedowns to wear away Leben’s will and cruise to the win, which was more one-sided than the split decision might suggest.
What we’ll remember about this fight
Along the fence in the third round, Craig landed a monstrous punch combination to put Leben on the mat. Craig stiffly but resolutely followed up but could not finish his stone-headed opponent. That sequence summed it all up.
What we learned about Chris Leben
His toughness, for better or worse, might extend his career a few more years, if Leben so desires. But he wasn’t able to mount much offense beyond looking for a home for his vaunted left fist. The performance was not encouraging for a guy who recently switched camps and claimed to be in the best shape of his life coming into Saturday night.
What we learned about Andrew Craig
This doesn’t establish 27-year-old Craig as a middleweight contender. He has some tools, but he’s also a bit awkward. Before the fight, Craig essentially labeled himself Chris Leben 2.0. This fight, if nothing else, cemented that as the truth.
What’s next for Leben
Despite the fact that he suffered his third straight loss, I’d be surprised if the UFC were to release Leben. Although, now that I think about it, he may be ripe for the plucking. He’s 32 years old, seemingly running in place despite switching camps and perhaps aging in dog years.
At this age and level, a fighter needs more than a strong chin and a potent left hand.
At UFC 155—where Leben dropped a snoozer decision to Derek Brunson—only Junior dos Santos earned more among the losing fighters. Leben also made more than nine winning fighters, including Brunson, who took home $21,000 less than Leben. You don’t think the UFC might want to jettison that ballast?
I love me some Leben. But the UFC, as it loves to remind people, is a business. If Dana White and company decide to part ways with Leben, another promotion would snap him up.
What’s next for Craig
I’d love to see him test his skills against fast-rising young buck Antonio Braga Neto, who submitted Anthony Smith via first-round kneebar in June.
Before the UFC 162 pay-per-view card kicks off, how ’bout we warm up with some fights on free TV? Tonight’s FX Prelims broadcast features a crowd-pleasing lineup of sluggers, including Chris Leben, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Edson Barboza, and the first post-TUF Smashes appearance of Norman Parke.
Handling liveblog duties for this leg of the “Silva vs. Weidman” fight card is none other than Matt Saccaro, who will be stacking round-by-round results after the jump beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and please toss your own analysis and witticisms into the comments section. Thanks for being here.
Before the UFC 162 pay-per-view card kicks off, how ’bout we warm up with some fights on free TV? Tonight’s FX Prelims broadcast features a crowd-pleasing lineup of sluggers, including Chris Leben, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Edson Barboza, and the first post-TUF Smashes appearance of Norman Parke.
Handling liveblog duties for this leg of the “Silva vs. Weidman” fight card is none other than Matt Saccaro, who will be stacking round-by-round results after the jump beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and please toss your own analysis and witticisms into the comments section. Thanks for being here.
The UFC always tries to make the “4th of July” card worth the $60 fans have to pay for it. This time, they succeeded. The main card is studded with talent. The FX preliminaries have some gems too. Fighters like Chris Leben, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Edson Barboza will be trying to rekindle their flames on FX. Hopefully, they’ll also be providing us with fights so exciting that we forget about all the shitty commercials we have to endure throughout the broadcast. Seriously though, if I have to hear Kid Rock talk about the sound of his freedom one more time…
Anyway, the violent festivities are about to start soon, so let’s quickly recap what happened on the Facebook prelims:
Mike Pierce defeated David Mitchell via TKO. The first round was so boring that all 11 people in the audience were booing.
Brian Melancon defeated Seth Baczynski via TKO. This TKO was an interesting one as it came quite literally at the bell. The bell sounded and then viewers saw a starched, lifeless Baczynski that was clearly going to be unable to answer the bell for the second round.
Now, the commercials are finally over and the first pairing of fighters is now entering the cage for the FX portion of the fight card. We have Edson Barboza vs. Rafaello Oliveira—Brazilian Muay Thai stud and former Next Big Thing™ vs. Generic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a 1-2 record in the UFC who’s coming off a year-long absence from the cage.
This is Barboza’s biggest test since getting upset by Jamie Varner back in 2012. Since then, Barboza has only fought once, defeating the unheralded, unheard of Lucas Martins in under three minutes.
Oliveira is coming off his only UFC win, a unanimous decision over the fighter with the toughest name to spell in the history of the UFC, Yoislandy Izquierdo. Prior to that win, Oliveira lost via TKO to Yves Edwards and via Submission to Gleison Tibau.
Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it seems like Barboza is “supposed” to win this fight. He’s younger, more talented, and his spectacular highlight reel and skillset makes him more marketable. The fight is about to start now so I’ll put away my tinfoil hat…
Round 1: They touch gloves to start the fight. Barboza lands a leg kick. Oliveira lands a left hook. Oliveira tries a body shot and misses. Barboza hits two more hard leg kicks in succession. Then he lands a huge body kick. The thud echoed throughout the arena. Barboza lands a left to the body and Oliveira shoots in pathetically. Barboza lands two more vicious leg kicks. Oliveiria is a deer in the headlights and Barboza is a mack truck. Oliveira attempts a single leg and fails, only to eat another kick to the body. Oliveira lands a right hand, then shoots and again fails. Barboza hits a spinning back kick. After a period of inactivity, Barboza hits yet another leg kick. Maybe we’ll see a Paul Varelans vs. Marco Ruas? Oliveira fails to takedown Barboza AGAIN. Barboza lands a millionth hard leg-kick, Oliveira fails his millionth takedown attempt in response. A minute left in the round now. A mouse is forming on Oliveira’s right cheek. Oliveira is limping now too, from all the leg kicks. He’s going to be in trouble in the second round. The bell sounds the end of round one. We score it 10-9, Barboza.
Round 2: An ineffective flurry from both fighters starts the round. Barboza hits a nice sweep when he catches a kick from Oliveira. Oliveira manages to take Barboza down off a leg kick but Barboza gets back to his feet very quickly. Another leg kick buckles Oliveira, and then another right after. Oliveira is moving like a wounded animal. A leg kick floors Oliveira this time. He’s limping really badly. This is brutal. Barboza hits another leg kick and Oliveira falls to the mat. Herb Dean mercifully stops the fight. Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg are having an orgasm over the fact that Barboza is the first guy to win two fights with a TKO via leg kicks.
Result: Edson Barboza def. Rafaello Oliveira via TKO (leg kicks) at 1:44 of round 2.
Next up is a scrap between disgraced heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga and Dave Herman.
For a brief time, the MMA world thought that Gonzaga was “back.” He ran through one of Junior Dos Santos’ training partners and then submitted Ben Rothwell (remember when people thought Rothwell was HW champ material back in the IFL days? Good times). But after that, Travis Browne smashed Gonzaga’s head in with a brutal series of elbows. The fight lasted only a minute.
Dave Herman has lost three in a row. How he still has a job is a bit of a mystery. Maybe the heavyweight division is just really thin and Joe Silva doesn’t want to part with a warm body that can fill a card? Maybe Herman is friends with somebody important? Maybe he has nude pics of Dana? We’re not sure.
Herman is 1-3 in the UFC going into this fight and is on a three-fight losing streak. He lost to Stefan Struve, Roy Nelson, and Big Nog. The last loss to Big Nog was the most embarrassing of them all since Herman had infamously proclaimed that BJJ didn’t work…only to be submitted via arm bar.
Will Herman have better luck this time? Or will Gonzaga unmask the power animal in him and RADICALIZE his fighting skills? Let’s watch and find out.
Round 1: They touch gloves. Herman lands two front kicks. Gonzaga counters a leg kick with a massive overhand right that floors Herman. He follows up with a few punches and referee Kim Winslow stops the fight. Herman looks pretty pissed. Stoppage MIGHT have been a bit early, actually. Regardless, the fight is over.
Gabriel Gonzaga def. Dave Herman via TKO (punches) at 0:17 of round 1.
Now that that fight is over, we have our first (and only) piss-break match of the FX prelims: Norman Parke vs. Kazuki Tokudome:
This is a win-win fight for the UFC. They have an Irish guy on a winning streak taking on a Japanese guy on a winning streak. No matter who wins, they get a guy they can market overseas that has a healthy winning streak (even if the streak might not be over the best competition but hey, the MMA media won’t question it).
Now, I called this a piss-break match and that really isn’t fair, I guess. Both of these fighters are talented and, at age 26, could have a bright future. It’s just that, compared to some of the other names on the prelims, these guys aren’t as known—which means that casuals and even some hardcores might tune out during this match.
Well, CagePotato will never tune out. So feel free to smoke or take a piss and then read the liveblog for the results, which are…
Round 1: They touch gloves. Parke lands a nice left hand. Parke misses a head kick. Tokudome lands a weak leg kick. Parke swings big with a right hand and misses by a mile. Parke lands two stiff jabs and Tokudome just eats them. Parke follows up with a big left over the top. Parke misses an Anderson Silva-front kick. Tokudome eats another big left. Tokudome has no footwork and no head movement. He continues to stand in front of Parke. Tokudome throws some ineffective punches and eats some counters. Tokudome comes forward and lands a left, and then eats a counter left. They clinch and Tokudome winds up pinned against the cage. Parke grabs a leg and drags Tokudome to the mat. Tokudome gets up but Parke takes his back during the transition. Park attempts a takedown and is reversed, he’s now on his back with Tokudome in his guard. There’s not much action save for some soft punches from both fighters. Parke tries a Kimura and gives up on it shortly after. Tokudome still can’t pass Parke’s guard. Parke gets up to his feet from guard and simply pushes Tokudome over. He passes Tokudome’s guard and the round ends. Pretty close round but I give it to Parke, 10-9.
Round 2: Tokudome lands a weak leg kick, countered by a right hand. The two fighters exchange half-strength flurries that both miss. Tokudome lands a combo of light punches. Parke lands a big left hand, Tokudome flees, and then Parke lands another. Parke is landing some big punches now. They both slow down. Parke backs off and takes a deep breath. Parke keeps spamming big lefts. The two men clinch briefly and then break up. Parke throws more haymakers, but this time Tokudome counters a few. Parke lands another straight left. Tokudome misses a massive hook. Parke ducks under it and lands a single-leg. He has Tokudome sitting against the fence. There isn’t much action now. Tokudome manages to get back to his feet. Parke still has an underhook but can’t do anything with it. Tokudome separates and lands a sweet flying knee, but it’s all for naught since Parke takes him down off of it and then gets mount. Tokudome powers his way out of mount and then attempts his own takedown, which fails. The two men get back to their feet and exchange strikes until the round ends. 10-9 Parke.
Round 3: A series of strikes from both fighters doesn’t go anywhere. Tokudome takes the center of the cage and has Parke scurrying away. Parke attempts a single which backs Tokudome into the cage. Tokudome gets a takedown, which is reversed. Parke has Tokudome in a front headlock now. Tokudome gets Parke against the cage, who quickly spins around and reverses the position. Tokudome lands some short, strong elbows but Parke is unfazed. Parke takes Tokudome’s back and attempts a takedown, which is successful but Tokudome reverses. He winds on top of Parke, in Parke’s guard. Parke rises to his feet very quickly. Both fighters are breathing with their mouths wide open now. Tokudome lands a head kick which momentarily stuns Parke. Tokudome capitalizes on this, scoring a takedown on Parke, who is only on the ground for a few seconds before rising to his feet. They’re both clinched against the cage now. They separate. There’s a minute left now. Parke lands some more punches on Tokudome’s stationary head. Tokudome lands an uppercut. Parke goes for a single leg which he can’t complete. They’re both against the cage now and it looks like the round is going to end there. It does, but not before Parke gets Tokudome down for a split second. This was the toughest round to score. I say 10-9, Tokudome.
Result: Norman Parke def. Kazuki Tokudome via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
And now, the preliminary bout we’ve all been waiting for—even if you weren’t anticipating it more than the others, you have been waiting for it so technically the statement is accurate—Chris Leben vs. Andrew Craig.
Leben is arguably in the darkest part of his career. He’s 1-3 in his last four and is coming off two losses, most recently to Derek Brunson back in December. But before that, he lost to Mark Munoz and then tested positive for oxycontin. This offense earned him a yearlong suspension.
Leben’s only win in the last two years is over a decrepit Wanderlei Silva. A loss tonight could be damning for Leben.
Craig is 8-1. He’s coming off a loss to Ronny Markes.
Was this fight made to get Leben back on track? After all, Leben has over three times as many fights as Craig. I guess we’ll have to watch.
Round 1: No touch of gloves to star the fight. Leben rushes in sloppily and goes for a single leg. Weird. He hits some foot stomps and keeps Craig against the fence. He hasn’t given up on the takedown yet. He has an underhook and keeps working the foot stomps. Craig gets a Thai plumb and lands a nice knee. Leben gets Craig against the cage again and this time gets Craig onto the mat but only briefly. Craig attempts a knee but it’s blocked. Leben throws a really ugly, lazy leg kick and then almost falls down. Leben throws a body kick and lands a left hook. He rushes in and Craig lands a knee to the body. That doesn’t stop Leben though, who again pushes Craig against the cage. They separate and Craig lands a right hand to Leben’s face. Leben lands a knee to the body and they separate. Craig lands an inside leg kick and then attempts a leg kick. A left-right combo fazes Leben for a bit who attempts a clinch but is shrugged off. Leben looks tired. He tries an off-balance leg kick which misses badly. He goes for a single leg again and fails. He grabs a body lock on Craig and gets him to one knee but then Craig rises. They’re clinched and then they separate. On the separation, both men throw like they’re in a bar fight but nothing comes of it. They reset in the center of the cage. Craig tries a double leg but Leben stuffs it. The round ends shortly after. That one was close but I give it to Leben 10-9.
Round 2: Goldy shills for Fox Sports 1 before the round starts. Both fighters start the round with big punches that miss. Leben, again, presses Craig against the cage and keeps attempting takedowns that go nowhere. Leben tries some more foot stomps but nothing. He grabs a leg again, but still nothing. Craig gets a Thai plumb and hits a big knee to the face but Leben isn’t hurt. Leben continues to press forward and Craig can’t get away; he’s stuck against the cage again. This time though, he manages to reverse the position and push Leben against the fence. He transitions to a Thai clinch and lands another knee before Leben escapes. They reset and Craig lands an elbow. Leben continues his wall-and-stall strategy. He lands a knee to Craig’s body and then Craig escapes off the fence. Leben throws a leg kick. Craig lands a left hook. Leben misses another leg kick and Craig lands a leg kick. Craig initiates a clinch this time and gets Leben against the fence, who reverses Craig. This is like the 20th time we’ve been in this position during this fight. Rogan is commenting about how Leben is the more aggressive fighter but Craig is landing more. Leben clinches again and lands some body shots. Leben throws some big shots which are blocked. The round ends. Tough round to score, as Rogan said. 10-9, Craig.
Round 3: Craig seems much fresher but that doesn’t stop him from letting Leben come forwards and try to bully him. Both fighters throw a flurry of messy strikes. Craig lands a few which floor Leben. Craig keeps landing follow-up strikes but Yves Lavigne doesn’t stop the fight. Leben gets back to his fight and is now pressed up against the cage. His face is red and he looks exhausted. They separate and Craig lands two uppercuts. Leben clinches and, for the 100th time, pushes Craig against the fence and does nothing there save for some light strikes. Leben stalks Craig, who shoves Leben to the floor when Leben attempts to clinch. Craig is in Leben’s guard now. He passes to half guard. Leben gets to his feet after thinking about a Kimura. Craig takes a deep breath. Despite this though, Craig is still visibly the fresher fighter. Craig successfully attempts a double leg. He’s in Leben’s guard now. Both fighters are throwing light punches. Craig passes into half guard. Thirty seconds left. Leben wall-walks his way up and both fighters separate but not for long. Craig takes Leben down again and time expires. I give it to Craig, 10-9.
Result: Andrew Craig def. Chris Leben via split decision (29-28 Craig, 29-28, Leben, 30-27 Craig).
That does it for the UFC 162 FX prelims. Be sure to continue following the action at our main card live blog!
