Chris Leben in photo by Josh Hedges
Wanderlei Silva ended up having to pull out of the upcoming July 3 UFC 116 show due to broken ribs.
Taking his place against Yoshihiro Akiyama in Las Vegas will be Chris Leben. Leben will return to the octagon for the second time in less than a month since his appearance in the The Ultimate Fighter 11 reality show final, when he knocked out Aaron Simpson in the second round this past June 19.
The fighter who came to fame during the first season of the reality show was given the go-ahead by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for not having sustained injuries during the bout.
