UFC legend ends 13-year MMA hiatus for retirement rematch with Octagon opponent he beat in 2010

A Chris Leben return isn’t something many would have predicted for 2026.

Leben has transitioned into being a judge and has worked UFC events as the next chapter of his life away from fighting.

However, the man who knocked out Wanderlei Silva in 27 seconds seemingly hasn’t found a way to fully scratch the itch following a recent announcement.

He may have initially announced his retirement from MMA 14 years ago, though it has now been revealed that he is coming back in order to be a part of a former opponent’s send-off.

Comment your pick and reasoning below for the biggest fall from grace.

On October 7, Black Combat surprisingly announced that Chris Leben will be returning to MMA next month.

At the promotion’s ‘Vendetta’ event on November 21 at the Gocheok Sky Dome, he will be facing off with fellow former UFC fighter Yoshihiro Akiyama.

The two veterans first met all the way back in 2010 at UFC 116 in Las Vegas.

On that occasion, Leben handed Akiyama his first loss inside the Octagon by submitting him via triangle choke in the third round.

The promotion also made it official that this will be Akiyama’s retirement fight, with the Japanese cult legend finally laying down the gloves at 51 years old.

Akiyama’s most recent fights have come in ONE Championship, where he faced off against the likes of Shinya Aoki.

As for Leben, following his final UFC fight in 2013, he attempted a move to Bellator several years later that fell apart due to health issues.

He was eventually cleared by doctors in 2019, resulting in a three-fight run with BKFC that came to an end in 2021.

His last win in MMA came in the aforementioned KO victory over Wanderlei Silva in 2011.