• UFC 138

Leben suspended for one year by the UFC

ESPN staff
November 28, 2011
Chris Leben receives attention from cutman Jacob 'Stitch' Duran © Getty Images
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Chris Leben has been suspended by the UFC for one year after testing positive for oxycodone and oxymorphone after his defeat at UFC 138 to Mark Munoz.

"I like Chris and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he's been suspended for one year," UFC president Dana White said in a statement on the UFC's official website.

"If he needs professional help, we are going to be there for him. We want to see him succeed not only in the Octagon, but in his personal life."

The incident marks the second time Leben has tested positive for illegal substances, following his loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 89.

In the official statement released by the UFC, Leben said: "I would like to make it known that I fully accept this suspension and apologise for embarrassing the UFC, my friends and family, and sport of mixed martial arts. I'm learning that I'm my own worst enemy sometimes.

"I can't succeed in the Octagon or in life behaving this way. I've got to make some real changes over the next year and I'm going to focus on getting my life and career back on track. Again, I'm sorry to the UFC and fans that've supported me since my days on The Ultimate Fighter."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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