Former UFC middleweight fighter Chris Leben was reportedly hospitalized earlier this month. ‘The Crippler’ is suffering from respiratory issues. He is said to be struggling with shortness of breath he developed after he got COVID.
Came out of Intubation 30 minutes ago. We are not out of the woods yet, but I want to thank everyone for all the prayers.
If you’ve never woke up from being intubated. This is what it feels like. I am feeling better today than I did yesterday and I felt better yesterday than the day before. So I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the prayers and support?
The caption was accompanied by the infamous scene where Neo wakes up in the matrix and is retrieved by a machine to be unplugged.
Chris Leben took to his Instagram account to share his condition. His friend then took a screenshot and uploaded it to Twitter to ask for support and prayers.
CALLING ALL FRIENDS, please pray and share. My brother @ChrisLebenMMA isn’t much for asking for anything. I just got off the phone w him. This is a serious situation. PLEASE send prayers and show support. This will be his biggest battle @danawhite LFG!!! pic.twitter.com/WuH2C8Hn4S
— Dr. Octagon ? (@dr_octagon) February 6, 2022
“So I’ve been in the hospital since Tuesday,” Leben wrote. “I went in after a cough and shortness of breath I developed after Covid. I’m not one to bellyache to the world. But if you haven’t seen me at the gym or around that is why. And if you can shoot some positive vibes my way other than that I don’t really wanna say much until we know exactly what’s going on”. Leben wrote in the caption
Later on, Leben also posted a video of him trying to walk with a lot of infusion devices on his body.
“Minus the sh*tty fruit roll ups from [Dr. Octagon] today was a good day. Don’t try this at home” Leben wrote in the caption.
Some people online blame the UFC for not taking care of its fighters. They believe the UFC should at least give them a pension and proper healthcare.
I’m awake
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) February 9, 2022
I didn’t tap ??? pic.twitter.com/5LHLNJGpHL
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) February 13, 2022
UFC veteran Michael Bisping, who fought him in 2008, sent prayers and support for Leben on Twitter. He wrote in the caption: “All the best brother. Keep fighting!”
Minus the shitty fruit roll ups from @dr_octagon today was a good day ?? don’t try this at home pic.twitter.com/8r1TmFXxIq
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) February 14, 2022
Chris Leben was The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Semi-Finalist. In his time within the UFC, he fought the likes of Michael Bisping, Uriah Hall, and Derek Brunson. He started his professional MMA career in 2005 and has a total score consisting of 22 wins and 12 losses. He retired in 2021.