Hey Everybody,

Here is the latest from the Crippler! He's taken some time to answer the questions that you've been asking and do a quick interview for the page. This will be a regular segment on the site from now on so keep checking! Thanks.

-Adam (site manager)

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AP: In your last fight you looked to be in the best shape of your life. How has moving to Hawaii helped you in your training?

CL: A couple of things have helped out here, the main thing is diet. I eat a lot of sushi and now that I eat properly I can really feel the difference. I was always training hard but the biggest issue with me was diet.

AP: Has moving to the island helped you to stay away from distractions and possibly some negative influences?

CL: Well, it's kind of summer all the time out here, so there's a lot of things to do. A lot of outdoor activities other than training, which is nice. Just like anywhere you go there are positive influences and negative influences that's just a fact of life. More than anything it's just a matter of getting older and realizing that as it takes longer and longer to prepare for a fight. If I want to stay at a top level of competition there were some changes I had to make to my life – I'm coaching at a gym now, I'm a role model to my students and I'm fighting at a top level.

AP: Back to your last fight, Terry Martin talked a lot of shit before your fight. Despite this, you were humble and respectful both before and after the fight. Is this a sign of a new Chris Leben?

CL: Martin did talk a ton of shit, that's true. But, I try not to concern myself with that. I don't go on the forums, I don't read about what my opponent is saying because the bottom line is – that kind of shit doesn't help you win fights. Winning a fight is being in the gym, preparing and handling business. So with me teaching now, it's a full day training, coaching and dealing with my personal relationships rather than worrying about responding to what someone says about me.

AP: I'm not sure if you can talk about this, but what's up with your contract status with the UFC?

CL: I actually just resigned with them. They've been great with me, they gave me what I wanted so I resigned with them. This next fight is the first fight on my new contact, which is pretty nice, so I jump up to 25 and 25 rather than 10 and 10 where I was at. You know, it's still not what I think atheletes at our level should be getting paid, but it's a nice boost for sure.

AP: In regard to Team Quest, I know that when Nate Quarry left the team there was a fairly strong backlash. How is your relationship now that you're with AMC and now ICON?

CL: I trained at team quest for so long and a lot the guys – Ryan Schultz, Ed Herman, Matt Horwich, Chris Wilson – all those guys are my friends. We eat together, we sleep together, we go out and drink together, we win together, we loose together and they've been my friends for a long time. Robert Folis is my friend, Matt Lindland is my friend you know, they'll always be my friends regardless of anything. They'll always be my friends first.

AP: Your next fight is at UFC 82 (March 1st) against Alessio Sakara. What are your thoughts at Sakara moving to middleweight and taking you as his first fight?

CL: Honestly, as much respect as possible to him, but I really don't think he deserves to be in the UFC. I haven't seen him win the fights or do what he has to do to prove himself at this level. You know, we're going to pressure him and test him and I'll tell you what , he has a pretty good opportunity to prove himself if that's what he wants to do.

AP: A lot of people have been asking, if someone wants to train with you and take classes as ICON how can they do it?

CL: There's a day rate if you want . Anyone is welcome to come in for one day, two days but there's a weekly rate and a monthly rate that anyone is welcome to sign up for. As well, if anyone wants to call the ICON and schedule a private lesson with me that's an option as well.

AP: Finally, some words for the fans on the Myspace site?

CL: Thank you to all of you who have been with me since the beginning. I appreciate the support from those who have stayed with me, not jumped ship and come back when it suited them. I really appreciate the fans that have chosen to stick with me through the thick and the thin. Thank you.