The UFC handed down a nine month suspension for the violation and also fined him one-third of his purse.

“I am obviously disappointed with Chris, who has made great strides getting his life back on track,” said UFC President Dana White. “To his credit, he has taken responsibility for his actions and is accepting the punishment that has been handed down. But as always, the UFC puts the safety of its athletes first and foremost, and we won’t tolerate anyone using performance enhancing drugs in our organization.”

“I’ve really done everything I can to turn my life around, and this is a huge setback for me, but it is something I will have to deal with,” said Leben. “During my time off from fighting, I want to speak to kids about the dangers of using performance enhancing agents and let them know it just doesn’t get you ahead in life. Of course this is a hard hit for me monetarily, but more so this is embarrassing for me and for all of my fans. I apologize to the UFC and everyone who supported me in my fight in England. I hope to work through this and get back to fighting soon.”

Because the UK has no athletic commission which oversees mixed martial arts events in the coutry, the UFC administered their own drug tests for the event. The promotion opted to test all 22 fighters, with the remaining 21 fighters who participated on the October 18th card passing their pre- and post-fight drug tests.

The event peaked at 3.4 million viewers during Bisping’s unanimous decision main event victory over Leben.

Airing opposite of game 6 of the American League Championship Series between the Tamba Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox as well as several college football games, UFC 89 still managed to rank second among 18-49 year-old males.

Though still a success, the event fell short of the 4.7 million viewers who tuned into Spike TV last September for Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s successful title defense over Dan Henderson at UFC 75.

Luiz Cane scored his second-straight UFC victory with a second round TKO due to strikes of feared light heavy knockout artist Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou to earn the “Knockout of the Night” bonus.

Making his UFC debut, lightweight Jim Miller submitted David Baron with a textbook rear naked choke midway through the third round of their preliminary fight to win the “Submission of the Night” award. This bout is now available for viewing on UFC.com.

Welterweights Chris Lytle and Paul Taylor went toe-to-toe in a three-round standup brawl to earn “Fight of the Night” honors.

While still a large sum, especially for preliminary card fighters, the $40,000 bonuses are down from the $60,000 “Fight Night” bonuses following UFC 88 in September, which aired on pay-per-view, and $50,000 bonuses for UFC 85 in June, which also took place in the UK and aired on Spike TV.

For a complete recap of UFC 89 “Bisping vs. Leben” click here.

Despite entering the bout in his best physical and mental shape of his career, Leben pressed forward but was unable to connect with his knockout power, while Bisping employed a perfect strategy to top Leben on the judge’s scorecards, avoiding Leben’s power while countering with precision strikes.

Leben opened the bout aggressively with leg kicks but Bisping took control midway through the close opening round, countering with punches and bloodying the nose of his opponent. In the second it was all Bisping, who dodged Leben’s attacks while carefully countering with punches. In the close final round (which MMAFrenzy.com scored in favor of Leben), a desperate Leben was again aggressive, chasing Bisping down with wild strikes, but was unable to score a knockout.

The judges rendered a unanimous decision victory in favor of Bisping with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 in favor of the English fighter.

With the win Bisping improved to 17-1 on his career, including a perfect 3-0 record at 185-pounds, and moved closer to a middleweight title shot, though when questioned on a potential title fight after the victory, Bisping said he feels he needs several more wins over quality opponents before he’d be prepared for the middleweight title holder.

Up next for Bisping is a stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 9 with a key middleweight matchup against Dan Henderson or Rich Franklin looming in 2009.

The obviously-improved Leben dropped to 18-5 in the loss, but was gracious in defeat, thanking the UK fans and Bisping for a fight he called the most-enjoyable of his career, despite being a losing effort.

In the co-main event of the evening, Keith Jardine defeated Brandon Vera via split decision after three close rounds. After a exchanging early, Jardine captured the first round with a takedown and ground and pound, escaping a near-submission by the Jiu Jitsu brown belt to punctuate the round with a late-flurry of strikes. Vera countered by winning the second with a knee-buckling kick and better striking, but Jardine rebounded to win the final frame on two of the judge’s scorecards to take the split decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29.

Despite losses in two of his last five fights, the win moves Jardine, now 14-4-1 on his career, back into the light heavyweight title picture with wins over current light heavyweight title-holder Forrest Griffin, former champion Chuck Liddell, and now the former heavyweight contender Vera in three of his last five.

Vera, suffering his third loss in his last four bouts inside the octagon, saw his record drop to 9-3 in the loss, including a 1-1 mark at 205-pounds.

In other main card action, Luiz Cane stopped Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou for the “Knockout of the Night” with strikes late in the second round, Chris Lytle and Paul Taylor went toe-to-toe in the “Fight of the Night” with Lytle walking away with a controversial unanimous decision win (29-28, 30-27, 29-28), and Marcus Davis submitted Paul Kelly via guillotine choke midway through the second round in the first televised bout of the evening.

The wins likely line up Davis and Lytle for an early-2009 meeting at UFC 93 in Ireland.

Lytle, Taylor, Cane, and Davis each took home an extra $40,000 bonus for their efforts.

On the preliminary card, Dan Hardy topped Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Shane Carwin pounded out Neil Wain early in the first round, David Bielkheden defeated Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Terry Etim topped Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Jim Miller earned “Submission of the Night” honors by choking out David Baron with a rear naked choke midway through the third round, and Per Eklund forced Samy Schiavo to submit to a rear naked choke early in the third round of the opening bout of the evening.

The UFC’s next event is just one week away as the promotion returns to the US and heads to Chicago, Illinois for UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote”. The middleweight title will be on the line in the main event as UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva battles top contender Patrick Cote. Welterweights Josh Koscheck and Yoshiyuki Yoshida are set to clash in the evening’s co-main event.

As always, MMAFrenzy.com will have extensive live coverage of UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote” on Saturday, October 25th.

UFC 89 “BISPING VS. LEBEN” OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Keith Jardine def. Brandon Vera via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luiz Cane def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:15
• Chris Lytle def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Marcus Davis def. Paul Kelly via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 2, 2:16
• Dan Hardy def. Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shane Carwin def. Neil Wain via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:31
• David Bielkheden def. Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Terry Etim def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. David Baron via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 3:19
• Per Eklund def. Sammy Schiavo via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:47

England’s own Michael Bisping topped fellow middleweight contender Chris Leben via unanimous decision to headline the the eleven-bout UFC 89 card.

• Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Keith Jardine def. Brandon Vera via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luiz Cane def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:15
• Chris Lytle def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Marcus Davis def. Paul Kelly via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 2, 2:16
• Dan Hardy def. Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shane Carwin def. Neil Wain via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:31
• David Bielkheden def. Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Terry Etim def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. David Baron via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 3:19
• Per Eklund def. Sammy Schiavo via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:47

Today’s event, which will air for free tonight on Spike TV, takes place at The NIA in Birmingham, England and features a middleweight main event clash between former “Ultimate Fighter” cast members Michael Bisping and Chris Leben. The UFC 89 main card also includes Brandon Vera vs. Keith Jardine, Luiz Cane vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Chris Lytle vs. Paul Taylor, and Marcus Davis vs. Paul Kelly.

QUICK RESULTS

• Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Keith Jardine def. Brandon Vera via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luiz Cane def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:15
• Chris Lytle def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Marcus Davis def. Paul Kelly via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 2, 2:16
• Dan Hardy def. Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shane Carwin def. Neil Wain via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:31
• David Bielkheden def. Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Terry Etim def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. David Baron via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 3:19
• Per Eklund def. Sammy Schiavo via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:47

ROUND-BY-ROUND

MICHAEL BISPING VS. CHRIS LEBEN (In progress…)

Round 1 — Leben is agresive early working hard leg kicks. More kicks from “The Crippler” then Bisping fires back but Leben counters. Solid left by Bisping followed by a knee to the body. Leben fires back with more leg kicks. Bisping catches a kick and returns a kick to the body. Hard left by Leben but Bisping connects with a combo. Leben is bleeding from his nose but connects with a good combo against the fence. A pair of rights by Bisping connects. Leben connects late with a left. It’s a very close round, but MMAFrenzy.com scores it 10-9 Bisping.

Round 2 — Bisping is more aggressive to start the second, but Leben tags him with a left and knee. Bisping continues to avoid and counter. Accidental low kick by Leben temporarily halts the bout. They touch gloves and we’re back underway. Leben and Bisping trading punches. Solid leg kicks from Leben. Bisping catches a kick and counters with a punch. Bisping connects with some jabs but Leben finishes strong with punches and has Bisping on his toes. MMAFrenzy.com scores another close round 10-9 Bisping.

Round 3 — Big left by Leben connects in the opening seconds, but Bisping has to take a break after getting sweat in his eyes. It’s momentary and we quickly resume. Bisping and Leben trade kicks. Good left by Leben followed by a kick to the body. Leben catches a kick and throws another left. Surprisingly, Leben takes Bisping to the mat and connects with punches. They get back to their feet and Bisping fires back. Bisping continues to successfully evade and counter, avoiding Leben’s knockout power. Leben pours it on late and taunts Bisping to engage but its likely too little, too late. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Leben, but the fight goes to Bisping 29-28.

Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

All other fighters participating on the card, including main card fighters Brandon Vera, Keith Jardine, Luiz Cane, Rameau Sokoudjou, Chris Lytle, Paul Taylor, Marcus Davis, and Paul Kelly, also made weight.

UFC 89 “Bisping vs. Leben” Weigh-In Results

MAIN CARD

• Chris Leben (186) Michael Bisping (185)
• Brandon Vera (203) vs. Keith Jardine (205)
• Luiz Cane (206) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (205)
• Chris Lytle (170) vs. Paul Taylor (170)
• Marcus Davis (169) vs. Paul Kelly (169)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Akihiro Gono (171) vs. Dan Hardy (169)
• Neil Wain (254) vs. Shane Carwin (264)
• David Bielkheden (156) vs. Jess Liaudin (155)
• Sam Stout (155) vs. Terry Etim (155)
• David Baron (155) vs. Jim Miller (155)
• Per Eklund (156) vs. Sammy Schiavo (156)

Remember, MMAFrenzy.com will have live coverage of UFC 89 “Bisping vs. Leben” tomorrow afternoon beginning at 3pm ET.

Ed Soares, Machida’s manager, has informed MMA Junkie that Machida is likely to return to the octagon in December or January.

The current UFC 89 fight card features:

MAIN CARD

• Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben
• Keith Jardine vs. Brandon Vera
• Luiz Cane vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
• Chris Lytle vs. Paul Taylor
• Shane Carwin vs. Neil Wain
• Marcus Davis vs. Paul Kelly

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hardy
• David Bielkheden vs. Jess Liaudin
• Terry Etim vs. Sam Stout
• David Baron vs. Jim Miller
• Per Eklund vs. Sammy Schiavo

For more on UFC 89 check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

Sherdog on Friday confirmed the injury with an American Top Team representative.

He is expected to be ready to return to the octagon in December.

Silva has earned stoppage victories over James Irvin, Tomasz Drwal, Houston Alexander, and Antonio Mendes in his four UFC appearances.

Machida has won all five of his bouts in the UFC including recent wins over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz.

No replacement for Silva has yet been named, though MMAFrenzy.com will pass along Machida’s new opponent when it becomes available.

For more on UFC 89 check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

The bout was originally rumored to be taking place at UFC 88 in September.

Kampmann (17-2) is undefeated inside the octagon with wins over Crafton Wallace, Thales Leites, Drew McFedries, and, most recently at UFC 85 in June, Jorge Rivera. Kampmann was to take on Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 72 in June 2007 with a middleweight title shot likely on the line but was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering a knee injury. The injury kept Kampmann out of action for over a year but he picked up where he left off, defeating Jorge Rivera via first-round submission to win his ninth-straight fight and fourth-straight in the UFC.

Marquardt (26-8-2) started his UFC career with four straight wins before losing to middleweight champion Anderson Silva via first-round TKO at UFC 73 in June 2007. Marquardt bounced back with a second-round submission victory over Jeremy Horn at UFC 81 but lost his next bout to Thales Leites at UFC 85 as a result of two point deductions for kneeing the head of a downed opponent and striking the back of the head. A former King of Pancrase, Marquardt has won 7 of his last 9 fights.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for the latest UFC news and UFC rumors.