Former Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Chris Leben
is set to make his Nevada debut as a judge on Saturday at
UFC Fight Night 228, according to
ESPN.
Advertisement
Throughout his extensive mixed martial arts career, “The Crippler”
faced the likes of Wanderlei
Silva, Uriah Hall
and Derek
Brunson. He retired from the sport in December 2013 with a
record of 22-12.
Leben has served as a professional referee and judge in California
for the last four years and has now received his license to work
events under the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Judging has been under scrutiny after last weekend’s UFC Fight
Night 227 headliner, when Mike Bell gave Alexa
Grasso a controversial 10-8 score for Round 5 in her rematch
against Valentina
Shevchenko. That resulted in the flyweight title bout ending in
a split draw. Some are of the opinion that a retired fighter, who
has competed inside the cage, will have a better perspective and
approach to judging as opposed to someone who hasn’t competed in
the sport.