Home / News / Chris Leben returns from suspension to face Vemola at UFC 155

Chris Leben returns from suspension to face Vemola at UFC 155

By on September 13, 2012

Source: MMAFighting

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible for Chris Leben.

His year-long suspension nearing its conclusion, “The Crippler” has agreed to meet Karlos Vemola at UFC 155, promotion officials announced on Wednesday.

UFC 155 takes place December 29, 2012, one month after the expiration of Leben’s suspension.

A heavyweight title rematch pitting Junior dos Santos against Cain Velasquez is expected to be the night’s main event.

Leben (22-8) last fought in November of 2011, falling to Mark Munoz via second-round TKO in the headlining bout of UFC 138. Following the event, the 32-year-old tested positive for prescription painkillers oxycodone and oxymorphone — the second failed drug test of Leben’s career — leading UFC President Dana White to hand down the one-year penalty.

“I’ve battled with (drugs and alcohol) for my entire life,” Leben admitted in a candid interview on The MMA Hour midway through his suspension. “I’ve had an issue with being addicted to painkillers for years now. I had some issues with my camp and it was almost a cry for help. I knew I was going to get caught and I just didn’t care at the time. I’m extremely embarrassed. I feel like I let down the UFC, but at the same time I think getting caught is probably the best thing to ever happen to me. The UFC has been unbelievable, they sent me to a rehab facility and they really took care of me.”

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