The events, locales, and conversations in this book have been recreated from memory. In order to maintain their anonymity, in some instances names and identifying characteristics and details such as physical descriptions, occupations, and places of residence have been changed.

Copyright © 2016 by Chris Leben and Daniel J. Patinkin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or info@skyhorsepublishing.com.

Skyhorse® and Skyhorse Publishing® are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.®, a Delaware corporation.

Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Leben, Chris, 1980-

The crippler: cage fighting and my life on the edge / by Chris Leben, with Daniel Patinkin.

pages cm

ISBN 978-1-63450-566-6 (hardcover: alk. paper)—ISBN 978-1-5107-0135-9 (ebook) 1. Leben, Chris, 1980- 2. Mixed martial arts—Biography. I. Title.

GV1102.7.M59L43 2016

796.8092—dc23

[B]

2015029058

Cover design by Rain Saukas

Cover photo: AP Images

Printed in the United States of America