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[Matt Boone]

From UFC.com, Chris Leben's latest blog entry:

July 7, 2006-Washington
Crippler Report 4

Losing sucks. I don’t even know how to lose; I haven’t had much practice at it. I train so hard – it’s my whole life – it’s what I do. I train to win; losing doesn’t even enter my mind. I was ready for my fight with Anderson Silva. I knew how dangerous he is; I knew what I needed to do. But I got caught – right down the middle. When I replay the fight in my mind, I still see myself blocking that shot and I am on my way to landing a couple of my own. Watching the fight later on TV was harder than actually fighting it. Jeez, 49 seconds!! Months and months of training and it was over in 49 seconds! I know it can happen, I’ve seen it happen to others – but not to me!!

As you can imagine, I had a pretty tough time after the fight. I am emotional and I am passionate - those qualities came boiling out of me in the locker room. Thank goodness my crew knows how to handle me. So after we cancelled our dinner plans and chowed down on take-out in the room, I was ready to hit the Circle Bar. That’s where I watched my fight on TV – bad idea. I had to get out of there and get some air. I sat outside on a bench with my buddy, Ed Herman, just pissed. Then Stephan Bonnar walked up and joined us. We were three tough UFC fighters, all with losses to deal with. Sharing a large bottle of Jack helped a lot. We moved our pitty party back to the room for further discussion. No one can empathize with an upset and disappointed fighter better than another fighter who is going through the same thing.

Robert Follis, one of my wise coaches (and Randy Couture’s former coach) pointed out that Randy lost two big fights in a row and they just didn’t know what would come next. We all know what happened after that. There are plenty of other examples like this. Who knows what will happen in my future.

Today I am lying by the pool creating my own rehab. I have the support of my girlfriend and closest friends. I have some fun Las Vegas activities planned for the next few days (shooting automatic weapons, riding pit bikes at Alien Motor Sports, a couple of shows and some heavy partying). Next week I’ll get some more ink added to my back and then I’ll get back in the gym, back to training.

Losing a fight sucks but it’s not the end of my career. I’m tough and I’m a good fighter who is training to be a better fighter in the long haul. I got caught by one of the best in the world, no shame in that. I predict that Anderson Silva will wear the belt next and I’ll get another shot at him eventually. I’d love to win the belt from him some day.

Chris The Crippler Leben

[killerinstinct]

I think he can come back from this loss.He's a good fighter.He's still young and improving.He wasn't ready for this kind of competition yet ,but one day I could see him as being that kind of competition.

[CHUCKtheCHAMP]

Originally Posted by killerinstinct

I think he can come back from this loss.He's a good fighter.He's still young and improving.He wasn't ready for this kind of competition yet ,but one day I could see him as being that kind of competition.

I AGREE

[prideFAN]

Originally Posted by killerinstinct

I think he can come back from this loss.He's a good fighter.He's still young and improving.He wasn't ready for this kind of competition yet ,but one day I could see him as being that kind of competition.

All fighters can improve, but that fight with Silva showed him that his not good as he thinks he is. He has to calm down with the shit talking and work more on his game.

[liddell316]

Agreed.

[manntis818]

chis leben will fight some shmo next then i see him having a nother big fight against a top middleweight at ufc 63 or 64......

[mattsoper]

maybe he'll fight at the next ultimate fight night

[Matt Boone]

They need to do Leben-Koscheck II before it's too late, or at least get Leben-Swick II out of the way. They win no matter who comes out in any of those fights. Koscheck can move up to beat Leben again, and take that success him with him back down to 170.

[killerinstinct]

Originally Posted by mattsoper

maybe he'll fight at the next ultimate fight night

He's fought in every UFN they've had.

[LethalStriker]

A lot of Leben's future opponents will have a lot more confidence in their future fights against him. Leben has to change up his game drastically because everyone saw all of his weaknesses in the Silva fight.