Leben: “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. “

By Dave Meltzer |  Source: MMAFighting.com

On Saturday night, when Chris Leben goes into UFC’s Octagon for the 20th time in a career that started with the first season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) reality show, he’ll move into a tie for seventh place on the all-time list of most fights in company history.

“I’m very excited, very nervous, I have a lot of anticipation,” said Leben, whose last year after being suspended for pain killers has been spent battling demons away from the sport and getting ready for a fresh return. “I haven’t had a payday in a year. I’m broke. This fight marks a transition. Dec. 29 is the end of a rough year for me. I’ve got a lot of new things going on. Financially, I can become stable a little bit, so this is a very big transition. I really want to do well. I’d like to get that KO bonus. I’m shooting for it, but I need to get a victory, get the money in the bank, and make the most of my career for the next few years.”

“I’m more ready, by far, then I’ve ever been. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. My heart rate walking around is in the mid-40s. I’m ready to go. I’ve done everything I can to insure a victory. The fight changing, having a year off, I can’t do anything about those things.”

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