Chris Leben arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence
An Oahu-based mixed martial arts fighter is scheduled to appear before a judge next month after he crashed his truck…
An Oahu-based mixed martial arts fighter is scheduled to appear before a judge next month after he crashed his truck on the H1 Freeway while allegedly driving under the influence.
Officers arrested Christian Leben, 30, a middleweight fighter known as the Crippler, on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant Tuesday. He was released from custody after posting $1,000 bail.
Police say Leben was driving on the west-bound side of the H1 Freeway just before 2 AM, when he lost control of his pickup and crashed into a wall near the Kapiolani Boulevard off ramp. He was allegedly driving without a license and without insurance.
He is scheduled to appear at Honolulu District Court November 22.
Leben was previously arrested on a DUI charge in his home state of Washington, an issue that cost him a chance to compete in a scheduled match in June 2008.
Leben served jail time for that offense and the UFC later rescheduled his bout with Michael Bisping. Leben went on to lose the match in a unanimous decision at UFC 89 but tested positive for steroids in a post-fight test and was suspended for nine months.
Leben has won his last three straight fights, most recently defeating Yoshihiro Akiyama by triangle choke at JUFC 116. He was scheduled to face Brian Stann at UFC 125 on January 1. It is not known whether his arrest will impact the scheduled bout.