Chris Leben gracefully announces retirement from fighting career

Rather's kind words might have been prompted by the fact that he hosts a show on ASX TV, the cable home of Inside MMA. But not necessarily. He mentioned that

Jeff Wagenheim | Jan 21, 2014

Chris Leben gracefully announces retirement from fighting career /

33-year-old Chris Leben ends his career at a pedestrian 22-11, although as recently as June 28, 2006, he was 15-1. — 33-year-old Chris Leben ends his career at a pedestrian 22-11, although as recently as June 28, 2006, he was 15-1 :: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rather's kind words might have been prompted by the fact that he hosts a show on ASX TV, the cable home of Inside MMA. But not necessarily. He mentioned that he once was a Golden Glove boxer. And even during his tumultuous broadcast career, he's a man who's been unafraid of a tussle. Hmm. The UFC is headed to Rather's home state of Texas in March. Get this man a cageside ticket.

Published Jan 21, 2014

JEFF WAGENHEIM

Paradoxically, Jeff Wagenheim considers himself a pacifist (except when driving in traffic) but nonetheless writes about mixed martial arts, the world's most combative sport (other than driving in traffic). As a veteran of three decades in magazines and newspapers, he's a bit grayer than most who attend UFC fights, even along press row. (A fan watching an MMA media panel show recently referred to him as "that crazy hippie uncle," to which Jeff responds, "Groovy, man!") Wagenheim also has tackled pro football for SI.com, and writes about sports and the arts for The Boston Globe. When he's not on the road chasing the UFC, Jeff spends Sunday afternoons spinning Sleepy LaBeef and Boozoo Chavis records for a popular (but not pop) radio show in western Massachusetts.