TLDR
- Chris Leben will return to MMA on November 21 after nearly 13 years away from the sport
- He will face Yoshihiro Akiyama at Black Combat 17 in Seoul, South Korea, in Akiyama’s retirement fight
- The two first fought at UFC 116 in 2010, where Leben won by third-round triangle choke submission
- Leben, now 46, last competed in MMA in December 2013 and later fought in bare-knuckle boxing
- A heart condition discovered in 2016 forced Leben to cancel a planned Bellator comeback
Sources: sherdog.com | themaclife.com
Former UFC middleweight Chris Leben will return to mixed martial arts for the first time in almost 13 years when he faces Yoshihiro Akiyama on November 21. Black Combat announced the matchup on Wednesday for its Black Combat 17: Vantablack event at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.
The bout will serve as Akiyama’s retirement fight, according to the promotion. Leben is now 46 years old and holds a professional MMA record of 22-12.
Yoshihiro Akiyama’s retirement fight will be against Chris Leben at BLACK COMBAT 17: VANTABLACK on November 21. pic.twitter.com/VrW3PwxuXI
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) October 7, 2026
First Meeting at UFC 116
Leben and Akiyama first fought at UFC 116 in July 2010. Leben stepped in on short notice to take the fight and won by third-round submission with a triangle choke.
The victory handed Akiyama his first defeat inside the UFC. Akiyama, who is known by the nickname “Sexyama,” currently holds a professional record of 16-7.
Leben last competed in MMA in December 2013 when he lost to Uriah Hall. He announced his retirement from the sport the following month in January 2014.
At the time, Leben said he planned to focus on coaching. His career appeared to be over until Bellator signed him in 2016 for a planned comeback.
Medical Issues and Bare-Knuckle Boxing
However, medical tests revealed Leben had a serious heart condition. The discovery forced him to abandon his comeback plans with Bellator.
Leben later moved to bare-knuckle boxing instead of traditional MMA. His most recent combat sports appearance came in February 2021 against Quentin Henry in a bare-knuckle bout.
The upcoming fight in Seoul will mark Leben’s first professional MMA contest since leaving the UFC. He has been away from the sport for nearly 13 years.
Akiyama competed in the UFC from 2009 to 2015 before continuing his career in Asia. The Japanese fighter will now close out his career against the same opponent who defeated him more than 16 years ago.
Leben’s nickname “The Crippler” made him a fan favorite during his UFC run. He appeared on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show in 2005 before joining the UFC roster.
His career included wins over several well-known fighters during the sport’s growth years. Leben’s aggressive fighting style and willingness to take fights on short notice earned him respect from fans.
The November 21 event will take place at one of South Korea’s largest venues. Gocheok Sky Dome typically hosts baseball games and major concerts.
Black Combat has positioned this fight as a special event for both fighters. For Leben, it represents a chance to compete in MMA again after more than a decade away.
For Akiyama, the fight offers a chance to retire against a familiar opponent in front of an Asian audience. The 49-year-old fighter has competed primarily in Asian promotions since leaving the UFC.
The promotion has not announced whether this will be Leben’s only MMA return or if he plans additional fights. His medical history raises questions about his ability to continue competing after this bout.
