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Leben gets 35-day jail sentence; out of UFC 85

Probation violation sinks match; UFC looks for new Bisping opponent

Eric Jamsion / AP
Fighter Chris Leben will not be able to compete at June 7's UFC 85 after being sentenced to jail for a probation violation.
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By Mike Chiappetta
NBCSports.com
updated 10:40 a.m. ET May 9, 2008

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UFC middleweight Chris Leben, already in a Clackamas County, Oregon jail for a probation violation, was sentenced to 35 days, forcing his UFC 85 matchup with Michael Bisping to be canceled.

The match cancellation was first reported by Dave Meltzer at The Wrestling Observer.

Leben's recent arrest stemmed from a 2005 DUI charge. During the midst of his probation, he left Oregon and moved to Hawaii. He reportedly tried to transfer his probation to his new home state but was denied. That led to a probation violation.

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After UFC offered him a spot in the London UFC 85 card, Leben realized he needed to address the situation in order to secure a passport and travel internationally, and turned himself in to authorities with the hope that no further jail time would be issued. Leben will be free before the June 7 event date, but would not have enough time to train.

The fight between Leben (18-4) and Bisping (15-1) was added to the card after Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell was forced to withdraw from his match with Rashad Evans due to a torn hamstring.

Bisping will likely still fight in his home country, and a replacement is expected to be announced shortly. According to Meltzer, Nate Quarry was considered as a replacement but he was unable to fight due to an elbow injury he is recovering from.

A welterweight matchup between Matt Hughes and Thiago Alves will headline UFC 85.

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