Chris Leben hospitalized for breathing complications due to COVID-19
Former UFC competitor turned bare knuckle brawler Chris Leben, 41, has been hospitalized due to breathing complications stemming from COVID-19.
“So I’ve been in the hospital since Tuesday,” Leben wrote on Instagram this past Sunday. “I went in after a cough and shortness of breath I developed after Covid. I’m not one to bellyache to the world. But if you haven’t seen me at the gym or around that is why. And if you can shoot some positive vibes my way other than that I don’t really wanna say much until we know exactly what’s going on.”
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Leben has not provided update since his posting, but friends, fighters, and family have been asking for the public’s thoughts and prayers in support of “The Crippler.”
Dr. Octagon wrote on Twitter: “I’m headed to ICU to see Chris. This is fucking horrible. Please continue to pray for him.”
I’m headed to ICU to see Chris. This is fucking horrible. Please continue to pray for him.
— Dr. Octagon 🍸 (@dr_octagon) February 7, 2022
Dr. Octagon also wrote “COVID was the start. The complications after have been endless.”
Leben, a cast member on the original season of the Ultimate Fighter in 2004, holds a 22-14 professional mixed martial arts record.
Leben left the UFC in 2013 and temporarily retired from competition after battling an issue with his heart. In 2018, Leben turned to the sport of bare knuckle fighting, defeating Phil Baroni in the now defunct World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation. He has since then competed three times with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, going 2-1. In his most recent outing in February 2021, Leben defeated Quentin Henry in the very first round.
