Retirement in MMA is often referred as harsh and unforgiving. Many times it's a decision made after a series of lopsided losses. And for Chris Leben it wasn't any different.
After a 1-5 record in his last 6 performances, Leben decided to call it quits on Jan. 2014 ending a 12-year long career that included 22 fights in the UFC and many memorable knockouts victories.
However, MMA was more than a career to Leben. It was away to stay out of trouble.
"Training is what saved me my whole life. What I think kept me alive was straightening up for at least a couple of weeks getting ready for my fights. Training is what centers me," said Leben on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour.
The cast member of The Ultimate Fighter season one was recently released from jail for a fifteenth time after being arrested for possession of an illegal firearm back in Sept. 2015.
Now, sober and out of jail, it's not certain that "The Crippler" will stay retired.
"Its funny you know, I kind of feel like I got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. I got a little bit of a fire in me," Leben said. "I'm not ruling it out."
Leben is currently training and says he could return as early as May. Although fans may remain skeptical on Leben's return due to his lasts performances, Leben insists things are much different now.
"I got out of rehab and they put me in a drug called suboxone, which is basically what they give heroin addicts. And it slows you down. It makes you docile. When I moved here to San Diego, I didn't drink for two years. I didn't do anything but take my medicine from my doctor. I would have told everyone else I was 100 percent sober, but I wasn't. I was in a haze, I was cloudy, and I wasn't motivated. I'm just so much meaner now. Like I'm pissed off, legitimately pissed off. Before I was like ‘Hey, slow down. Lets spar lighter. Now, when guys want to start banging, I'm putting my head down and moving forward. And also, I'm living on vegetable juice, a little bit of chicken, and a little bit of fish. So you know, I'm eating clean, training hard, and having zero prescriptions," Leben said.
Additionally, Leben has a new coach that prevents him from drinking.
"The great thing is that I got this awesome new coach. He makes sure I don't drink. He's called a probation officer," Leben laughed.
Even though Leben is mostly known for his career with the UFC, he made it clear that his comeback would be outside the octagon.
"Oh God, Dana doesn't want to have anything to do with me," Leben said. "I'm free to sign. I reached out to them and got released."
Leben is currently in talks with several MMA promotions. When asked by Ariel Helwani if he would return to fight under Spike, the network that launched Leben's UFC career and is now the home of Bellator, Leben replied with a smile.
"I don't know, I couldn't tell you," Leben said.