UFC middleweight heavy hitter, Chris Leben pulled off an amazing win tonight in Las Vegas, forcing Yoshihiro Akiyama to tap out in the third round with a triangle choke submission in the third round at UFC 116.

Leben throws a lazy kick to open but its caught by Akiyama who uses it to trip him to the ground. Leben quickly back to his feet and he eats a leg kick from the Japanese fighter. Leben rushes Akiyama but misses with the punch. Leben starts to get through with his big leg kicks and lands a big left hand which staggers Akiyama momentarily. Low blow landed by Akiyama. The pair restart and exchange again, Akiyama getting the better of this one. Akiyama will the attempted spinning back fist before the pair clinch and Leben is tossed to the ground. Leben looks for an armbar but Akiyama pulls out and has goo top control. Leben again with the armbar but once again Akiyama escapes. Akiyama this time looks to secure an armbar of his own but Leben rolls as he attempts to escape. He manages it and returns Akiyama to half guard. Akiyama tires to pass but Leben locks him down with forty second remaining. The pair return to the feet and Akiyama pushes Leben up against the fence. Leben lands a big kick, followed by a punch once they separate but Akiyama closes the distance and tosses him to the ground again as the round ends.

Slower start to the second, Leben looking for the kick but slips. Akiyama lands a straight left but Leben comes straight back at him. Akiyama tires the trip again but Leben pushes him away. Akiyama with the spinning back fist lands, followed by a superman punch. Leben just misses with a big punch. Both men engage in a wild brawl, landing punch after punch, with both looking like they could drop at any minute, incredible. Akiyama tirps Leben to the ground but Leben soon gets his back against the cage and looks to stand. Akiyama stays on him, holding him down the best he can but Leben soon makes his way back up. Akiyama pushes him up against the fence but Leben peppers him with some nice short punches. Front guillotine choke by Leben but he can’t finish. The pair exchange again. Leben hammers Akiyama time and time again but he won’t drop. Unbelievable. The round ends with the crown on their feet.

Akiyama looks tired as he attempts a takedown and Leben makes him pay. Leben looks fresher as he lands a nice head kick. Leg kick from Leben is used by Akiyama to trip him to the ground. Leben stays active off the bottom with punches and submission, rolling again for the armbar but Akiyama eventually pulls free. Akiyama eventually mounts and looks to control but Leben soon returns him to half guard. Leben is landing shots from the bottom while Akiyama looks content to stay on top. Leben regains full guard and continues to throw punches and elbows off his back. Leben throws his legs up looking for the submission and secures a triangle choke. Akiyama struggles to pull away as Leben tightens his grip, hammering away with punches before grapping a hold of the Japanese fighters head. Akiyama is forced to tap handing Leben a huge win.