Leben vs Swick not gonna happen

mizzel · 07-17-2007, 12:17 PM

UFCjunkie.com Exclusive: Mike Swick Says Chris Leben Has Pulled out of UFC Fight Night 11 Main Event
Posted by UFC Junkie on July 17, 2007 at 11:55 am ET
What was supposed to be a UFC Fight Night 11 main event between Mike Swick (10-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Chris Leben (16-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will likely be scratched from the Sept. 19 fight card.

Swick, a cast member from The Ultimate Fighter 1, spoke exclusively to UFCjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, MMA news, UFC rumors, UFC gossip, fighter interviews and event previews and recaps - UFCjunkie.com) yesterday evening about the unfortunate turn of events.

“He backed out,” Swick said. “He didn’t take it. It kind of sucks with how tough he talks about fighting anyone, anywhere. He kept saying we could rematch anytime.“

The Swick vs. Leben fight was supposed to be a rematch three-and-a-half years in the making. During a January 2004 WEC event, Leben landed a second-round knockout punch that dropped Swick and halted the bout. Leben continually reminded Swick and the other castmates of that victory during the taping of The Ultimate Fighter 1, and the otherwise composed Swick angrily vowed to avenge the loss.

After the show, though, both fighters went their own ways. Swick emerged as a top 185-pound fighter and soon earned the nickname “Quick” for his lightning-fast knockout victories. Leben, too, experienced a large amount of success as a hard-hitting, tough-as-nails fighter before eventually losing three of his past four fights.

With both fighters coming off losses and The Ultimate Fighter 6 debut approaching, the UFC finally put the fight together to capitalize on a TUF-friendly crowd.

During the weekend of UFC 73, UFCjunkie.com announced that the fight officially had been offered to the two fighters and was expected to take place.

“There’s no better time than now,” Swick said. “It would have been perfect. How can you pass up that exposure from a main event? The UFC is getting crazy numbers on Spike right now. I’ve been asked about the rematch for three years. Spike wanted [the fight], the UFC wanted it, and the fans wanted it. It’s disrespectful to back out now.“

After his loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 69 — a fight in which he suffered from a noticeable size disadvantage — Swick announced his intentions of moving from 185 pounds down to 170.

After the fight with Leben was offered by the UFC, Swick wasn’t too concerned that Leben hadn’t officially accepted it. After all, Leben had also mentioned the possibility of moving down to 170. Regardless, though, it wasn’t mandatory for the fight.

“I wanted the fight — whether it was at 170 (pounds), 185 or a catch-weight — so it didn’t matter to me,” Swick said. “I figured that’s what Leben was waiting to decide. I thought he was worried about the weight cut. It never crossed my mind he wouldn’t take the fight at all.“

A message that UFCjunkie.com left with Leben’s management yesterday evening hasn’t been returned.

Swick said the UFC still plans to keep him on the televised portion of the UFC Fight Night 11 event, but with the grudge match no longer part of the deal, he knows that he may no longer be featured in the night’s main event.

The UFC is on the search for a new opponent.

“What it comes down to is that [Leben’s] got a win over me, and he’s been blabbing about it since the show,” said Swick. “(At UFC Fight Night 11), I would get to take that away from him. I don’t think he wants to gamble. It’s a cheap move. And he can’t give me the respect to let me avenge that loss? All that talk he talks, and this is how it goes? I think he lost that warrior spirit.“

UFC Fight Night 11 takes place at The Palms Las Vegas and airs on Spike TV. With the Leben vs. Swick fight now apparently dead, a fight between Spencer Fisher and Din Thomas is the most likely alternative to earn top billing at the event.

For the latest UFC Fight Night 11 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com.

This entry is filed under Chris Leben, Mike Swick, UFCjunkie

leben really doesnt have anything to gain here, i guess i relly dont blame him

twigz · 07-17-2007, 12:22 PM

Man that sucks! I was looking forward to this fight and to Leben losing.

I can't wait to see what Leben says about this.

The Bodybag · 07-17-2007, 12:42 PM

Both guys need a win, both were so close to their title shots then leben lost to Anderson and Swick to Okami. Not saying they would win, its just a big blow to a young career. I think swick is improving more and more( obviously outpowered by Okami but skill wise looks good). Sucks that it got scratched.

Sandstorm · 07-17-2007, 12:43 PM

Leben has alot to gain after loses three of his fights he needs a win doesn't matter against who just needs one.

jm1010 · 07-17-2007, 01:20 PM

I am really happy to hear this. I want to see Swick fight at 170. I would like to see him fight Cummo, since he is already rumored to be fighting at UFN 11.

riversideblues · 07-17-2007, 01:39 PM

This was really his last chance to be a main event, bad call Chris, bad call....

H@mmerM@n · 07-17-2007, 05:40 PM

I was really looking forward to seeing swick in action again I wonder if he is going to drop down to WW as he said before

earvinarp · 07-17-2007, 05:48 PM

And Chris Leben keeps digging his own grave. A win against Swick, if almost impossible, would have put him back in the UFC map. Now, the guy will probably get beaten by another nobody and disappear through the back door.

Is there an official version of why Leben pulled out? Injury? Personal problems? Pregnancy?

OneTwoPunch · 07-17-2007, 05:50 PM

Never was a fan of Leben and Swick would destroy him if they did fight. As long as we dont have to see this fight as a main event for a UFN, then I'm happy.

JoeRoganismyhero · 07-17-2007, 06:07 PM

Leben has lost something mentally, in TUF he would get almost uncontrollably upset after a loss. After his last loss to Starnes, a fight he was favored to win, he was asking the fans if they were entertained, it was like he didn't care about losing!

There better be a good reason why he backed out of this fight, he should be thanking them for this opportunity against Swick, because he certainly hasn't earned it that's for sure, not the way he has been fighing lately!

RockemSockem · 07-17-2007, 06:33 PM

I think the difference there was that it was a relatively close decision. His losses on TUF were a lnp decision over the guy he hated and a fluke cut. Both of which would have me crying like a baby too.

Kevin38 · 07-17-2007, 06:50 PM

I feel this would have been a good fight; Leben could slug it out w/ Swick but I feel Swick would have won the ground battle and ultimately the decsion. This sucks; would have made a great fight for a free fight nite.

earvinarp · 07-17-2007, 06:54 PM

It would have been "quick" Swick against "snail" Leben.

OneBigThrow · 07-17-2007, 06:59 PM

I would like to know what "nobody" has beaten Leben...

earvinarp · 07-17-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBigThrow

I would like to know what "nobody" has beaten Leben...

Kalib Starnes

Kevin38 · 07-17-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBigThrow

I would like to know what "nobody" has beaten Leben...

IMO the worst fighter to beat Leben was Kalib Starnes and he is not a slouch but I do question his heart sometimes.

earvinarp · 07-17-2007, 07:10 PM

And his last victory against Jorge Santiago (hardly a household name) looked suspicious to say the least.

OneBigThrow · 07-17-2007, 07:11 PM

O, OK

fail.

comucazi · 07-17-2007, 08:45 PM

bad move by leben, not sure who else makes sense for him to fight now except in other orgs

Saskabush · 07-17-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

It would have been "quick" Swick against "snail" Leben.

Why is this guy still on the forums?

How do you figure he is a "snail"? If you don't have anything remotely intelligent to say then don't say anything. Leben beat him once, what makes you think that he can't do it again?

Oh yeah and the "nobody" Kalib Starnes is actually an accomplished fighter in Canada with a win over Jason Macdonald. Just because he may be a "nobody" in your eyes does not mean he isn't a good fighter. Grow up.