Chris Leben ernstig ziek

Helaas was zijn persoonlijke leven naast het vechten erg chaotisch en verscheen hij meerdere malen negatief in het nieuws. Zo was al jaren bekend dat hij drank en drugsprobleem had en ging hij met pensioen in 2014. Alleen waren het geldproblemen die er voor zorgde dat hij weer moest gaan vechten en tekende hij een nieuw contract bij Bellator vorige maand.

Alleen bij het tekenen van een contract hoort een lichamelijk onderzoek om vast te stellen dat je als vechter gezond genoeg bent om zo een gevaarlijke sport te beoefenen. Tijdens deze onderzoeken kwam naar voren dat hij een hartconditie had en uit verdere testen bleek pas echt hoe serieus het was. De dokters hebben hem verteld dat hij nooit meer mag vechten en zijn kwaal is dusdanig serieus dat hij zelf in aanmerking zou komen voor een hart transplantatie.  Zij hopen dat een combinatie van medicatie en een gezonde levensstijl de schade kunnen beperken en er voor zorgen dat hij geen hartaanval krijgt maar dat de schade door zijn jarenlang drank en drugsproblemen zijn tol hebben geëist is nu wel duidelijk

Hierbij de reactie van zijn management:

"In early February of this year, UFC veteran Chris "The Crippler" Leben announced he was coming out of retirement to compete for Bellator MMA. As part of the signing process, and in preparation for a potential spring match-up, Leben underwent a battery of medical tests. Unfortunately, these test have revealed a serious condition in his heart. As a result, the slugger and fan favorite will likely never compete again.

Concerns were first raised when Leben failed several EKG tests during his physical examinations. He was then directed to take an echocardiogram, a sonogram of the heart. This analysis showed a life-threatening abnormality. The left ventricle of his heart is oversized, misshapen and is not operating properly. Doctors estimate that the blood flow through is heart is only 18% of what is considered normal.

Doctors immediately prescribed a combination of drugs, which they hope will prevent a catastrophic cardiac event. As of now, the prognosis is mixed: one doctor believes that he should be considered for a heart transplant, while another doctor hopes that medication and a healthy lifestyle will reverse some of the damage over time.

Doctors suspect that this serious ailment is due in large part to the fighter’s notorious hard living. Leben has suffered from extreme opiate addiction, alcoholism, and medical and psychological issues throughout his life. His recently released autobiography, The Crippler: Cage Fighting and My Life on the Edge, details the acute challenges that he has faced both inside and outside of the cage.

Leben’s health issues are not the only obstacle ahead of him. Unable to earn a living as a fighter, and faced with mounting medical bills, his financial situation is dire. Leben is making ends meet as a part-time coach at The Arena MMA gym in San Diego and is studying to earn a real estate sales license, which he will hang at Keller Williams East County near San Diego.

Leben also hopes to leverage his many life lessons for the benefit of others. He plans to devote time to communicating with young people and the MMA community about the dangers of drug use and about how to cope with addiction.

Leben says that he is grateful to the fans, friends and family that have been there for him throughout his life and career. He will continue to fight the good fight, and has confidence that strict dedication to nutrition and wellness will allow him to succeed in this battle. Leben asks anyone who wants to support him to consider purchasing a signed copy of his autobiography at his online store (https://chrisleben.ecwid.com)."

Naast de verklaring van zijn management was het ook Bellator president Scott Coker die met een reactie kwam.

"We are saddened to hear of Chris Leben’s current health situation and would have loved to see him compete inside the Bellator cage.

"A fighter’s health and safety is of the utmost importance to us as an organization. We wish Chris the best in his future endeavors and we are happy to provide a platform for him to share his story with people around the world."