Morning Report: Chris Leben apologizes for tweets blasting UFC, citing grief

It's been a bit of a rough past month for former UFC middleweight Chris Leben. Aside from transitioning away from fighting and dealing with that shift in identity, Leben also revealed that much of his winnings earned throughout his career were squandered on illegal drugs. After telling Ariel Helwani his time fighting in the UFC had 'been a fantastic, wonderful ride' lacking regrets, Leben's tone changed Sunday in a single tweet.

Emotional and dealing with the death of his pet dog, Leben sounded anything but satisfied with how his days of fighting had left him. Whether or not and to what extent fighters should receive longterm physical and mental health coverage is another debate, but it speaks volumes to have a stalwart like Leben speak so ill of his experience just weeks removed.

Even so, Leben later removed the tweet, citing the loss of his dog for the outburst. The UFC was also quick to respond privately to Leben.

I lost my dog and fucking lost it! Sorry please disregard my prev tweet! He was a family member:(

— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) February 17, 2014

Means a lot that Dana and the UFC care and have reached out

— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) February 17, 2014

It's easy to dismiss emotional comments from emotional people, but this instance asks some larger questions. For the sake of their business, it's something the UFC is sure to try to resolve.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Clarity. Chuck Mindenhall tries to make sense of the UFC's shifting middleweight division.

Next at 185? Lyoto Machida wants a shot at the UFC's middleweight title but he's also willing to wait. "They have great fighters, like Jacare. It's their decision, and I'll be waiting."

Gil to Bellator. Dave Meltzer explains how Gilbert Melendez' new deal with Bellator affects the entire sport.

Leave Daniel alone. Sara McMann doesn't appreciate Patrick Cummins telling everyone he once made Daniel Cormier cry.

Cyborg strikes back. Cris Cyborg tells Dana White to test her for performance enhancing drugs or stop making accusations.

MEDIA STEW

Highlights: Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi and Jacare Souza vs. Francis Carmont.

Nice spotlight on Sara McMann.

Don Frye's picks for UFC 170.

Teaser for Stuart Cooper's ADCC 2013 documentary series.

Cormier talks about his past with Cummins.

Miguel Torres fought this weekend. Meh.

Long watches.

UFC Fight Night 36; Machida vs. Mousasi 6th Round post-fight commentary

TWEETS

Make sure to check out our 'Pros React' piece for everything from UFC Fight Night 36.

Victory lap.

Vitória! Obrigado pelo apoio! Thanks for all support! #TeamLyoto pic.twitter.com/OfITvp73Nq

— Lyoto Machida (@lyotomachidafw) February 16, 2014

Obrigado Senhor por mais essa vitória. Estou muito feliz , obrigado a minha familia que amo muito ,aos... http://t.co/wnObtLsQz3

— Ronaldo Jacaré (@JacareMMA) February 16, 2014

"@danawhite: The heel kick was awesome " Thanks, I trained hard for today and I hope to have pleased the UFC I'm going back very motivated!

— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) February 16, 2014

Thank you fans for all the support and thank u @danawhite @ufc for letting me live my dream. #lovemyjob #TeamProctor

— Joe Proctor (@JoeProctor) February 16, 2014

Ossss! https://t.co/DyJljD676K

— Rodrigo Damm (@RodrigoDaMMA) February 16, 2014

Galera do "twiiistyyy", mais uma vitória graças a Deusss! Obrigado a TODOS pelas msgs de apoio e parabéns! Muito importante a energia de vcs

— Felipe Arantes (@SertanejoUFC) February 16, 2014

Better luck next time.

J'ai beaucoup appris de cette défaite, je vais revenir plus fort. I lost, I learned a lot, I'll come back stronger.

— Francis Carmont (@franciscarmont) February 16, 2014

すいません、良いところなしでやられました。完敗です。一から出直します。

— 佐藤豪則 takenori sato (@takenori0608) February 16, 2014

(I'm sorry, I was done with no good place. Is a complete defeat. I will start over.)

Thank you @ufc @seanshelby @danawhite and all my sponsors for tonight and esp thank you to charles for the fight. It was fun

— Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) February 16, 2014

30-27 come on.I never stopped moving forward.Control and aggression doesnt mean shit anymore but whateva trinaldo is a beast. Hats off 2 him

— Jesse Ronson (@Ronsoff) February 16, 2014

Time e família reunida antes da luta . Muito obrigado a todos pelas mensagens antes e depois da luta .... http://t.co/CB1t42CMPP

— Wilson Reis (@wilsonreis7) February 16, 2014

Congrats to the new Invicta signees.

It's happening! Been waiting so long. now my dreams have turned into reality !Ty Jesus ! @shanknapp @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/r5FLkvzJ5V

— rachael ostovich (@rachaelostovich) February 15, 2014

@shanknapp thank you for the follow!! I'm a strawweight that you DEFINITELY want to watch! #lilscrappy #Invicta #signme

— Delaney Owen (@scrappydl) February 12, 2014

Hard works beats talent, on our way to train.

— Mellony Geugjes (@mgeugjes) February 16, 2014

Tk you @Baratafreitas, very excited, can't wait! @InvictaFights

— Valerie Letourneau (@ValTroubleMMA) February 15, 2014

One of my dreams come true. Now it's time for the next challenge...!!! :) pic.twitter.com/2jmXASfEKk

— KarolinaKowalkiewicz (@KarolinaMMA) February 9, 2014

Life is so crazy and exciting all in one :-) wicked http://t.co/C4p5iJ7oH4

— Faith Van Duin (@faithimmortal) February 15, 2014

#ohhyeah with these two beast right here http://t.co/jxXUGoQ64I

— Ashley DollFace (@GreenwayAshley) February 16, 2014

I can't wait to get in the @InvictaFights cage!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/dMMTrvaAa5

— Amber Brown (@AmberBrown505) February 12, 2014

But is this a new pic?

Estou voltando . pic.twitter.com/QXis1oNSv7

— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) February 16, 2014

Uncle Creepy seems cool with it.

"@phatmacca: @One_Punch managed to get a copy of @Unclecreepymma medical records! #timewaster pic.twitter.com/y0cPIIyXAO" see this is funny

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) February 14, 2014

That's a tough brother assignment.

Wrestling match with my brother @b_samboo http://t.co/kn8lqiJzJX

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 16, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Feb. 14-16 2014)

Clay Guida vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri at UFC Fight Night 39

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.

What We NOW Know About UFC Fight Night 36 Main Card... and What Should NOW Be Done

Try to keep your cool fight fans. Two weeks after the UFC set a record with 10 decisions at an event at UFC 169, they end up getting 10 decisions at UFC Fight Night 36. Dana White was cranky enough (probably an understatement) after UFC 169, I'm sure that he is just a bit more peeved this time around. Out of those 10 decisions, only one was a real stinker and most offered some pretty good action. Could the event have been better. Well... yeah. And some finishes certainly would have helped with that sentiment. So was the event a disaster? Hell no! Quit concentrating on what wasn't there and pay attention to what was there.

The biggest development to come out of Fight Night 36 is Lyoto Machida walked away with a victory and as a result should get a middleweight title shot as Dana White said he would likely get if he won. White has been known to promise those before only to rescind them and has done so to Machida before. So we'll have to wait and see how that development plays out. I could see White pulling it back due to the fact Machida didn't get a finish, but Machida did go for some kill shots that just didn't do the trick and dominated the fight. There is no good reason Machida shouldn't get next.

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Check out the rest of the post here.

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