Leben Suspended for Nine Months after Failing UFC 89 Drug Test
LAS VEGAS, November 3 - Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Related News Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), today released information stating that middleweight fighter Chris Leben tested positive for the anabolic agent stanozolol following his October 18th loss to Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 89 in Birmingham, England.
As a result of the positive test, Leben will be suspended from fighting for nine months and must forfeit one-third of his fight purse.
“I am obviously disappointed with Chris, who has made great strides getting his life back on track,” said UFC President Dana White. “To his credit, he has taken responsibility for his actions and is accepting the punishment that has been handed down. But as always, the UFC puts the safety of its athletes first and foremost, and we won’t tolerate anyone using performance enhancing drugs in our organization.”
Leben said, “I’ve really done everything I can to turn my life around, and this is a huge setback for me, but it is something I will have to deal with. During my time off from fighting, I want to speak to kids about the dangers of using performance enhancing agents and let them know it just doesn’t get you ahead in life. Of course this is a hard hit for me monetarily, but more so this is embarrassing for me and for all of my fans. I apologize to the UFC and everyone who supported me in my fight in England. I hope to work through this and get back to fighting soon.”
The remaining 21 fighters on the UFC 89 card all passed their pre and post fight drug tests.
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11-03-2008, 02:20 PM
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