The Crippler

Book excerpt: It takes a certain kind of person to stand out from other mixed martial arts fighters as both a wild man and a rock star. Chris Leben, otherwise known as “The Crippler,” is that kind of person. His reputation started on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, a reality show where hopeful fighters vie for a UFC contract and a path to greatness. The world saw an out-of-control brawler with a penchant for destruction. But that was only half the story. From the slums of northwest Oregon, Leben has spent a lifetime coping with deep scars left by an absent father and ever-present struggles with alcoholism and drug abuse. He’s been in jail eleven times, including for going AWOL. During his ten-year career in ultimate fighting, Leben became one of the most recognized figures in the sport, enthralling audiences around the world with his wild, headfirst style of fighting as he took on some of the world’s best fighters, including Anderson Silva, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Wanderlei Silva. The Crippler is not just an exciting account of his rise to prominence within the UFC; it’s the incredible story of a renowned wild man dealing with his personal demons and learning that the toughest opponent is always yourself.