Leben would return to work for Bellator. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Retired since January 2014, the former UFC fighter Chris Leben would return to MMA at rival Bellator, but a serious heart problem prevented the athlete from returning to the ring.
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According to an official statement released by Bellator, Leben's heart receives less blood than that of a normal person. According to the report, the fighter's left ventricle is too large, misshapen and operating improperly.
“Doctors estimate that the blood flowing through (Leben’s) heart is only 18% of what is considered normal. A combination of medications was immediately prescribed to Leben in an attempt to prevent a catastrophic cardiac episode. So far, the prognosis is divergent: one doctor believes he should consider a heart transplant, while another hopes that medication and healthy habits will reverse some of the damage over time,” the organization said in the note.
At 35, Chris Leben has an MMA record of 22 wins and eleven losses. “The Crippler”, as he is known, became famous among the Brazilian public for being the first fighter to face Anderson Silva in the UFC, being defeated by knockout in less than a minute. The North American also knocked out Wanderlei Silva in 2011, in his last victory as a professional.
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