UFC Veteran Chris Leben Hospitalized After Battle with COVID-19

Chris Leben has been hospitalized for nearly a week due in San Diego to issues stemming from COVID-19.

The UFC veteran revealed in an Instagram post on Sunday that he had difficulty breathing after catching the virus. The post showed an image of Leben’s legs in a hospital gown while hooked up to a monitor.

“So I’ve been in the hospital since Tuesday,” Leben wrote. “I went in after a cough and shortness of breath I developed after Covid. I’m not one to bellyache to the world. But if you haven’t seen me at the gym or around that is why. And if you can shoot some positive vibes my way other than that I don’t really wanna say much until we know exactly what’s going on.”

Leben, who competed on Season 1 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” hasn’t competed in MMA since a loss to Uriah Hall at UFC 168 in December 2013. The 41-year-old known as “The Crippler” has competed multiple times in bare-knuckle boxing since then, most recently defeating Quentin Henry at a BKFC event in February 2021.

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