Wand and Leben in staredown / Photo: Josh Hedges
Chris Leben is the man who’ll be standing across the cage from Wanderlei Silva this Saturday in Las Vegas, where UFC 132 is set to go down. As fans likely do, the fighter himself also expects a lively battle driving to the crowd to delirium, even if, at a given moment, the “heart” on display may be greater than the technique.
“Neither of us are really the most technical guys on the planet, but we’re going to go out there, do what needs to be done and keep the fans jumping in their seats,” says Leben, who shot to popularity in the USA after participating in the maiden season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, the UFC’s reality show.
“We’re doing our best. Obviously you can’t train the same as Wanderlei, at full speed. You have to figure out how and when. But I put on a helmet and had some faster guys come at me, throwing true barrages of strikes,” he adds.
If things go the way Leben wants them to, it would be a good idea for fans to keep their eyes glued to the TV. Entertainment is guaranteed.
“I love exciting fights, and all his fights have always been exciting. He goes for the kill; I love that and in some respects I think I tried imitating him early in my career,” says Leben in closing in an article on the official UFC website.
Check out the full card:
UFC 132
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
July 2, 2011
Champ Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber
Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben
Ryan Bader vs. Tito Ortiz
Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman
Melvin Guillard vs. Shane Roller
Rafael dos Anjos vs. George Sotiropoulos
Brian Bowles vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Aaron Simpson vs. Brad Tavares