Sports · Combat Sports · 1 day ago
Chris Leben to return for Yoshihiro Akiyama’s retirement fight
Chris Leben is returning to mixed martial arts after 13 years away from the UFC Octagon.
He will face Yoshihiro Akiyama in South Korea on November 21, in a rematch announced by the promotion Black Combat.
The two first fought at UFC 116 in 2010, where their bout was named Fight of the Night.
Black Combat has said the upcoming fight will be Akiyama’s retirement bout.
Leben’s last UFC appearance ended in a loss to Uriah Hall, and he later recorded three wins and one loss in bare-knuckle boxing.
He now works as a judge and says he is happy to take on the role of the opponent trying to spoil Akiyama’s farewell.
Chris Leben will return to MMA to face Yoshihiro Akiyama in a rematch announced by Black Combat.
The fight is scheduled for November 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea.
Black Combat said the bout will be Akiyama’s retirement fight.
Leben said he is embracing the role of the villain because Akiyama is competing in his last fight.
The pair first fought at UFC 116 in 2010, earning Fight of the Night.
- Who
- Chris Leben and Yoshihiro Akiyama.
- What
- They will meet in an MMA rematch. Black Combat said it will be Akiyama’s retirement fight.
- When
- November 21. The year is not stated.
- Where
- Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea.
- Why
- Black Combat announced the rematch as Akiyama’s retirement fight.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Don’t let the ageing filter fool you! See you soon.
Here we go, I love being the bad guy!!
Leben and Akiyama first fought at UFC 116.
Leben knocked out Wanderlei Silva in 27 seconds, in what the article describes as his final UFC win.
Black Combat announced that Leben and Akiyama would meet in a rematch on November 21.
Leben commented on the fight on X and shared a promotional video on Instagram.
- Rematch
- Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
- Scheduled date
- November 21
- Venue
- Gocheok Sky Dome, South Korea
- Retirement fight
- Black Combat said the bout will be Akiyama’s retirement fight.
- First meeting
- UFC 116 in 2010
Sources
Related news
TNA Bound For Glory 2026 set for Tampa with six championship matches
Puerto Rican boxing great Wilfredo Gomez dies at 69
Amazing Red Added to TNA Bound For Glory X-Division Title Match
Tommaso Ciampa and Charles Mason Kiss Before Trading Blows at Indie Show
Will Ospreay and Andrade El Idolo to team on AEW Dynamite
Brendan Allen submits Christian Leroy Duncan in fifth-round UFC main event
CMLL confirms six-match card for Arena Mexico show
Roman Reigns retains title as The Bloodline and 946 brawl
WFI seeks US visa reconsideration for nine Indian U23 wrestlers
Tiffany Stratton wins Money in the Bank despite painful ladder-match fall
Penta wins the men's Money in the Bank match at WWE event
