Should Leben's fights be banned from UFC HoF?

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FightTipper

Active Member
Sep 6, 2015
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33
Before y'all start flaming me based on the title alone, hear me out.

So it's not domestic violence. Chris made that clear on his most recent ESPN Radio episode.



But he also made it clear that he did some very bad things. He's a convicted felon now. His lawyer said on the podcast that this type of assault rifle is not even legal to own in California - YOU CANNOT GET A PERMIT TO OWN THIS GUN.

Which likely means he did 1 of 2 things to obtain the gun. Either he smuggled the gun over state lines, or he bought it illegally in California. That makes it a Federal case if he did one of those things.

So yeah he's not a proven domestic abuser, but he breaks into places he shouldn't be. Somehow he obtained a gun illegally.

Leben is no Hall Of Famer as an individual, but at least symbolically, the UFC should ban Leben (and his individual fights) from the Hall Of Fame.
 

teamquestnorth

Lindland never cheated
Jan 27, 2015
15,422
28,258
Idk if he belongs in the HOF but not because of the reason you stated.

He had a long career and gave it all in the octagon. He helped build the UFC to where it was today. His fight and the leadup with Koscheck was the real reason that TUF 1 blew up the way it did.

His record wasn't the best and he got busted for roids once. If he doesn't get inducted, that should be why.

If it were up to me, he would be inducted for sure.

Not sure what the firearm charge (that happened after he retired) has to do with anything.

Care to explain?
 

FightTipper

Active Member
Sep 6, 2015
35
33
Frank Trigg normally wouldn't qualify as a HOF'er based on his career, but his individual fight vs Matt Hughes got him in.

UFC needs to declare Leben and all violent criminals disenfranchised.
 

OhWhopDaChamp

TMMAC Addict
Apr 20, 2015
6,222
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The new profile pic tho lmfaoooo!!!image.jpg image.jpg
She got fired already? Contract issues?? Lollollollol
 

Emmery Myers

I put the warrior in social justice warrior
Aug 7, 2015
858
717
Actually, violating an OP is a type of domestic violence charge. He scaled his exes wall and used guns during the crime. Now, we can all play the naive approach and be like "yea blah blah it isnt actual domestic violence" but this is like someone being busted with pock marks on their ass cheeks, a bunch of needles and stack ingredients but no steroids.
 

Wild

Zi Nazi
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
85,004
123,331
No, he shouldn't be barred or banned. MMA is the hurt business, and although alot of the fighters are well educated, well behaved, model citizens...some of them are going to get into some shit from time to time. Chris seems like a pretty decent dude...he just has some substance abuse issues. He hasn't done anything to harm the sport (like Pete Rose). And at the end of the day, the HOF is based on accomplishments inside of the octagon, or within the organization. Now, if we want to debate that...
 

Wild

Zi Nazi
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
85,004
123,331
And I can already see this thread getting locked up with a quickness as well.
 

FightTipper

Active Member
Sep 6, 2015
35
33
I was talking more about his individual fights. They should be declared ineligible for HoF consideration. (i.e. Hughes Trigg 2)
 

Emmery Myers

I put the warrior in social justice warrior
Aug 7, 2015
858
717
I don't know if Leben should be banned from this. Certainly for now. Like no inducting a classic Leben fight in the next few years, but if he receives help and matures as a man and comes to a different point in his life, readily admitting what he did was wrong, we could revisit it.

Like with Chris Brown. Someone who shouldn't have a career beyond singing in weddings at this point. It isn't even so much what he did(yes it is) but it is also the fact he refuses to truly admit he was wrong or use his celebrity to advocate for women and against domestic violence.

There needs to be a path to redemption, for those willing to atone for their past.
 

Wild

Zi Nazi
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
85,004
123,331
Why? Its a reasonable topic.
As long as it remains civil, there are no personal attacks, and no fighter bashing (and Chris is a fighter)...have at it. But if it goes down that path, it's getting locked up. That is not what we're about here.

Not directed at you specifically. In general....
 

FightTipper

Active Member
Sep 6, 2015
35
33
He still has yet to pay his debt to society. There may also be outstanding federal gun-trafficking charges if he transported the gun over state lines or bought it illegally in Cali.
 

Wild

Zi Nazi
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
85,004
123,331
I am confident the legal system will figure all of this shit out. If Chris is guilty. I hope he gets the help & support he needs. If he isn't, I hope he gets the help & support he needs.
 

Splinty

Shake 'em off
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
44,116
91,095
I don't know if Leben should be banned from this. Certainly for now. Like no inducting a classic Leben fight in the next few years, but if he receives help and matures as a man and comes to a different point in his life, readily admitting what he did was wrong, we could revisit it.

Like with Chris Brown. Someone who shouldn't have a career beyond singing in weddings at this point. It isn't even so much what he did(yes it is) but it is also the fact he refuses to truly admit he was wrong or use his celebrity to advocate for women and against domestic violence.

There needs to be a path to redemption, for those willing to atone for their past.

This seems a reasonable way to meld the man and the sport. Not just here but for evaluating any number of scenarios like this in major leagues
 

jason73

Yuri Bezmenov was right
First 100
Jan 15, 2015
72,781
134,158
the gun wasnt even in his possession.it was in a downstairs closet at his wifes house
 

Emmery Myers

I put the warrior in social justice warrior
Aug 7, 2015
858
717
Then I hope he gets the help & support he needs. And Zuffa can do whatever about the HOF. I think their HOF is sort of a joke anyway, to be honest.
I don't really. I think the UFC HOF other than not including Frank has been pretty good. Spin off thread idea?
 

Wild

Zi Nazi
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
85,004
123,331
I don't really. I think the UFC HOF other than not including Frank has been pretty good. Spin off thread idea?
You got that right. Frank not being in there is criminal. I guess their HOF is okay, but I just dont get putting the entire cast of TUF in...I mean I get it, but I dont get - if that makes sense lol.