The Ultimate Fighter Finale: The Wait is Over

Apr 06, 2005
Chris Leben: Wrestling/Boxing/Team Quest • 5’11• 185 lbs. • 10-1

Career Against Noteworthy Opponents:
James Fanshier (1-0)
Mike Swick (1-0)
Joe Doerksen (0-1)
Benji Radach (1-0)

History on Ultimate Fighter: 0-2
Lost to Josh Koscheck by decision in Episode 6
Brought back by Nate Quarry due to injury in Episode 9
Lost to Kenny Florian by doctor’s stoppage in Episode 10
--------------------------------
Jason Thacker: Submission Fighting/Gibson Pankration • 5’10 • 205 lbs. • 0-0

Career Against Noteworthy Opponents: None
History on Ultimate Fighter: 0-0
Eliminated on Episode 2 by choice of Team Couture captain Randy Couture
--------------------------------
The Better Striker: Leben. Chris has a boxing background and has knocked out four opponents in MMA. There doesn’t appear to be a whole lot of information available on Thacker’s fight history.

The Better Grappler: Again, Leben. He was part of Couture’s Team Quest before the Ultimate Fighter show even started so his ground game should be better than Thacker’s. However, we didn’t see Thacker do anything and since he was first to leave the show and house, he’s had a significant amount of time to improve his game.

And The Winner Is: Leben. The reasoning behind this fight is what again? In my opinion, the former Canadian Olympic Gymnastics team alternate and animator has become the “new” Fred Ettish due to a “spritz of urine” in an unjustified attack on a guy who wanted to live his dream of being a fighter. Here’s a question: Would Leben run out to the parking lot and actually gut himself if he lost to Thacker? I think he would. But the odds are in Leben’s favor to deliver a serious beat down.