How does someone go from fighting for survival in a hospital bed to donning the stripes of a pro boxing referee? If you’re Chris Leben, it’s just another chapter in an already wild and unpredictable life. Known as ‘The Crippler’ for his all-out brawling style in the UFC, Leben took to Instagram to announce a career twist that no one saw coming.

“It’s official! I’m ‘officially’ a pro boxing referee now. What a life. Grateful.” For fans who know the UFC veteran’s story, this announcement hits differently. Rewind to February 2022, when he was hospitalized for severe complications from COVID. His lungs? Damaged. His breathing? A constant battle. At the time, Leben shared a gut-wrenching video from his hospital bed, saying, “They did say 100 percent of my lungs are damaged, but they also said 100 percent recovery is possible, and I think that’s what’s going to happen.”

Now, here he is, proving once again that resilience is his strongest weapon. Can you believe this is the same guy who nearly lost it all just two years ago? “When you’re where I was, and you’re where I’m at now, I’ll tell you what, you count everything as a blessing,” he said during his recovery when his fight wasn’t inside the cage but against the effects of the pandemic that hit us. Two years later, it’s not just his health that’s made a comeback, it’s his passion for combat sports, now with a new focus.

Chris Leben is one of the most iconic figures in the sport of MMA, belonging to the old-school generation of UFC talent, and also among the first set of fighters to graduate from The Ultimate Fighter, when its first season aired in 2005. Back then, Leben was a wildcard with substance abuse issues and personal troubles, his exciting fighting style notwithstanding. ‘The Crippler’ was infamous for his rivalry with MMA bad boy Josh Koscheck on TUF season 1. Cut to the present day, and ‘The Crippler’ seems like a different man, having left his troubled past in the rear-view mirror.

What is it about former fighters stepping into officiating roles that gets us so excited? Maybe it’s their firsthand experience, or maybe it’s just a sense of trust that they’ll call it fair. In Leben’s case, it feels like both. The man fought legends like Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping, so it’s safe to say he knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of questionable calls.

“The Crippler! Legend!” Fans rally behind Leben’s new journey

Fans have already started debating what this move means for the sport. “Now make judges ex fighters lol Adelaide Byrd still pisses me off,” one fan jokes, referencing the infamous judge who cost Gennady Golovkin and Alexander Volkov their wins. Another chimed in, “He’s actually judged some fights here and there.” It seems this transition has been a long time coming, and with his credibility and grit, Leben looks more than ready for the role.

Still, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows as one fan pointed out, “Y’all talking like he hasn’t had some sh*t score cards.” Criticism aside, though, the overwhelming sentiment is one of celebration. Leben’s comeback, from fighting at the highest levels to near death and now refereeing, is just the kind of redemption story combat sports thrive on. Unsurprisingly, while the 44-year-old’s announcement sparked various reactions online, fans shared personal anecdotes as well. “Sick, he reffed my fight before,” one commenter shared. Others praised the move, writing, “Well deserved,”, and, “The crippler! Legend!”

Seeing it as a positive shift for the sport as a whole, one fan declared, “MMA needs more people like him to judge, tired of the constant BS decisions,” while another celebrated his authenticity, “The Crippler belongs in reffing MMA.” Of course, some fans couldn’t help but look back at his career. “Yo, Chris has a few more big wins if he’s not sacrificed to Anderson Silva’s UFC debut. [I’ll] stand by that,” one wrote, reflecting on what might’ve been.

What’s clear is that Chris Leben has once again captured the attention of the fight world, not by trading punches, but by taking the reins as a referee. So, what do you think? Should more fighters make a jump into officiating? And how will ‘The Crippler’ fare in this new role? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!