Even with Late Opponent Change, Chris Leben Still Expecting a Finish at BKFC 6

Chris Leben is back fighting in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship this Saturday as he takes on Dakota Cochrane.

Originally, the UFC veteran was set to take on Brennan Ward, but Ward pulledd out of the fight. According to Leben, Ward backed out because he wanted to re-negotiate the terms of the bout with less than a week remaining before the event.

“There were a few things. We agreed on a weight, and then Dave Feldman called me and said he was trying to change the weight,” Leben said to Sherdog,com. "We agreed on 190 pounds, and if it is not a title fight you get 190 plus one. From what I understand, he said 189 plus one, then he said just 189. Then, he wanted more money so Dave had enough. Whether he was serious of taking the fight or not. Pretty crazy to back out of it by one pound.”

Change opponents with less than a week to prepare can be challenging, but Leben plans to rely on his wealth of fight experience. Leben is still expecting to deliver a finish on Saturday night.

"These guys are polar opposites. One is a relative technical boxer. Dakota Cochrane is heavy-handed, loops his shots and comes forward,” he explained. "With the limited time I have to train, I have to rely on my veteran abilities and adapt to my opponent.”

Leben, who has won both of his bare-knuckle bouts thus far, believes the discipline fits his style well.

“The way I fight, I think it is fantastic. It has been going well for me, too,” Leben concluded.