Chris Leben Announces Retirement, Hopes To Go Pro As Referee

Chris Leben has made the decision to move absent from beat athletics competitiveness.

Leben has been a longtime supporter favored. Whether or not he was turning in gritty performances less than the UFC banner, or supplying it his all in bare-knuckle boxing, “The Crippler” is nicely-acknowledged and highly regarded. Fans have also been supportive of Leben individually, as he celebrates two several years of sobriety.

Chris Leben Retires, Hopes To Be A Pro Referee

In a new online video posted on his YouTube channel, Leben announced his retirement (h/t BJPenn.com).

“Couple explanations why,” Leben continued. “Dave Feldman and the BKFC have been excellent to me. It has very little to do with that all. It has to do the truth that, initial and foremost, I’m an amateur ref below in California. I’m aspiring to go professional, I want to do that, and I experience like it’s a conflict of desire currently being both a referee and an athlete at the very same time. I want to concentration on my career as a referee. Also, I want to concentration on my vocation as a mentor, as an elite-stage coach. I coach jiu jitsu, I coach boxing, I mentor MMA. When I’m instruction, I never have the time to set the electricity into my athletes.

“So now, seeking to be a referee, seeking to target on my fighters, my coaching, concentration on my family—I want to have time and vitality for them when I get home—those are all motives.”

Leben ended up heading 2-1 less than the BKFC banner. He was defeated by Dakota Cochrane in his ultimate bout by way of unanimous choice back again in June 2019. In spite of the loss, Leben suggests he does not have the urge to go out on a win as he feels he has performed all he can as a prizefighter.

Lovers are guaranteed to fork out close attention to Leben’s aspirations of currently being a professional referee. He hopes to be noticed officiating and judging important bouts in the UFC and other companies.