UFC 116 co-main event ‘personal’ for Leben
Chris Leben has admitted that, Yoshihiro Akiyama , by claiming he wanted a higher calibre opponent than The Crippler has made their UFC 116 co-main event ‘personal’.
For the injured Wanderlei Silva, Leben stepped in as a late replacement, making it two fights in three weeks for the middleweight knockout artist. At the TUF 11 Finale, Aaron Simpson was defeated by Leben. In the defeat, Simpson staggered across the Octagon before collapsing in a heap.
Having fought in DREAM and K-1, Akiyama, 13-1, has a big reputation and he initially stalled over taking the Leben fight. By winning the bout, the Japanese Judoka felt there was little to gain and he expressed his derision at being given such little time to change his training for a new opponent.
“I take it a little bit personal. The bottom line is he fights for the UFC. He signed to fight on this card. His opponent got hurt. Opponents get hurt. That goes with our industry. His job is to get in there and mix it up. For him to say that I’m not a worthy opponent kind of throws me off. I’ve got 10 wins in the UFC. He’s got one win by split decision over Alan Belcher. I don’t think that qualifies him as saying I’m not a worthy opponent,” said Leben.
When the UFC asked him to replace Silva, Leben also admitted that he wasn’t exactly in the best of professional states.
“When (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva called me up, it was Monday morning. Sunday I had a large pizza. I watched a movie, passed out, woke up with a couple of bumps and bruises, and I was already getting called to fight. My girlfriend told me, and I was like, ‘You’re joking me. You’re pulling my leg”, said Leben.
I don’t know if fighting again so soon will make it an easier bet on UFC 116 but it sure will make it more entertaining hopefully.
