Bellator MMA announced last month that they had signed UFC vet Chris Leben.
He’s got some physicals to pass, but pending his passing of all his physicals, he will be a Bellator fighter,” said president Scott on AXS TV’s Inside MMA.
However, in terrible news, tests found that Leben suffers from a severe medical condition, that leaves him with just 18% of normal blood flow to his heart.
Swedish news site MMANytt first reported the ghastly news.
MMA LEGEND CHRIS LEBEN FACING LIFE-THREATENING HEART CONDITION
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).
Bellator CEO Scott Coker to MMAjunkie about the awful news.
We are saddened to hear of Chris Leben’s current health situation and would have loved to see him compete inside the Bellator cage,” said Coker
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.
Leben appeared on AXS TV last summer to discuss his book, and spoke candidly about his drug use, and what not to do.
