Did the late Gene LeBell choke Steven Segal till he soiled his pants? Legendary martial artist dies at age 89
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Famous wrestler and martial artist Ivan Gene LeBell, better known as Gene LeBell, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, at the age of 89. The 'Godfather of Grappling' became well-known in the martial arts community after branching out into other sports including Judo and mixed martial arts. He later went on to become a popular stuntman in Hollywood.
Action star Steven Seagal may have discovered LeBell's skill the hard way. If rumours are to be believed, Lebell once claimed that he choked Seagal to test his immunity to choke-holds. During this fight, the latter soiled himself. LeBell never stated in public if the story was true. But, as per MMA Underground, Seagal has refuted the rumour, calling Lebell a "pathological liar." He said, "My children are the most sacred thing in my life. I swear on my children that we never ever had a fight at all."
READ MORE
Wrestling Trailblazers: From Nyla Rose to Harley Ryder, meet five iconic trans wrestlers
"Well, if a guy soils himself, you can't criticize him, because if they just had a nice big dinner an hour before, you might have a tendency to do that. Steven Seagal is a very outstanding martial artist. I've got nothing against Steven. Personally, myself I don't think he's taught these mixed martial artists how to win a match. He's done a lot for martial arts. But I know where he's insulted Randy Couture. Well, Randy Couture if he ever got mad would have him for lunch. And that isn't to put down Steven, but 'closed mouth don't catch any foot," LeBell said.
Famed stuntman Steven Lambert, who was an eyewitness, said in the same interview that it never happened. He said, "Anybody who says otherwise about this story are liars it’s that simple because they weren’t there. Seagal didn’t piss in his pants, he didn’t go into convulsions, but there was a confrontation, it was a difficult physical confrontation, but it didn’t have anything to do with pissing in his pants and, or going into convulsions.
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey laughed at Seagal's assertions that Lebell was insane and that the story was entirely made up. She said, "Well, would you ever admit it? Obviously, the guy is a liar. If he says anything bad about Gene to my face, I would have to make him crap his pants a second time."
