Chris Leben to return to MMA after nearly 13 years against Yoshihiro Akiyama

Chris Leben, a former mixed martial artist, is set to return to the sport nearly 13 years after his last Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) appearance. Black Combat has announced that Leben will face off against Yoshihiro Akiyama at Black Combat 17: Vantablack on November 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Akiyama has announced that this bout will be his retirement fight.

Leben and Akiyama first met in 2010 at UFC 116, where Leben submitted Akiyama with a triangle choke in the third round. Leben, now 46 years old, had not competed in MMA since his December 2013 loss to Uriah Hall. In January 2014, Leben announced his retirement from MMA, intending to focus on coaching. However, he later signed with Bellator in 2016, but his comeback was cut short when medical tests revealed a serious heart condition.

In recent years, Leben has turned to bare-knuckle boxing, with his most recent bout taking place against Quentin Henry in February 2021. Akiyama's retirement fight will see him close his career against the man who handed him his first UFC defeat, Chris Leben.