Cung Le

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Not to be confused with Kong Le.
Cung Le
Cung Le
Le on the set of Inside MMA in August 2009.
Born (1972-05-25) May 25, 1972 (age 51)
Saigon, South Vietnam
(now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Weight 186 lb (84 kg; 13.3 st)
Division Middleweight
Reach 71.0 in (180 cm)
Style Sanshou, Wrestling, Taekwondo
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of San Jose, California
Team American Kickboxing Academy, Universal Strength Headquarters
Trainer Bob Cook
Rank      Black sash in Sanshou
     First degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do
     Blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu [2]
Kickboxing record
Total 17
Wins 17
By knockout 12
Mixed martial arts record
Total 12
Wins 9
By knockout 8
By decision 1
Losses 3
By knockout 3
Other information
Website www.cungle.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Cung Le (Vietnamese: Lê Cung; born May 25, 1972) is a Vietnamese-American retired mixed martial artist, actor, and former Sanshou kickboxer who competed as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), holding a record of 2-2 with the organization. In Sanshou, he is a former International Kickboxing Federation Light Heavyweight World Champion, having a professional Sanshou record of 16-0 before moving to mixed martial arts (Le also held a kickboxing record of 17-0). He defeated Frank Shamrock to become the second Strikeforce Middleweight Champion before vacating the title to further pursue his acting career. Le is perhaps best known in mixed martial arts for competing in Strikeforce, holding a record of 7-1 with the organization before its demise.

Background

Le was born in Saigon, South Vietnam (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). In 1975, a week before the Fall of Saigon, Cung Le and his mother Anne left Vietnam by helicopter under heavy gunfire. Le's father stayed in Vietnam and was caught as a prisoner.[3] After a few months in a refugee camp in the Philippines, Le ended up in San Jose, California, where early discrimination and bullying inspired him to learn martial arts[citation needed]. His mother enrolled him in Tae Kwon Do classes at the age of 10[citation needed]. Le began wrestling competitively at age 14 after being inspired by Sylvester Stallone´s Rocky and earned All-American honors in his junior year of high school[citation needed]. He went on to wrestle for West Valley College in Saratoga, California, and won the California Junior College State Championship in the 158 lb weight class in 1990 also earning junior college All-American honors. Le also is practiced in a variety of martial arts such as Judo, Kuntao and Sambo. He began training in Sanshou and kickboxing around age of 19 because it complimented his Tae Kwon Do and wrestling background[citation needed]. Le held a professional kickboxing record of 17-0 and is a three-time world champion in kickboxing.

Sanshou career

Le is undefeated in his Sanshou career (17–0).[4] He has won three US Open International Martial Arts Championships (1994, 1995, 1996). In 1998 he won the Shidokan tournament championship.[5] He has also won four US National Championships (Orlando, FL, 1994, Dallas, TX, 1995, Baltimore, MD, 1997). He earned three bronze medals in his amateur Sanshou world competition compiling an overall amateur record of 18–3. He has been a three-time captain of the United States teams that competed and was the U.S. team captain at the World Wushu Championships in 1997 (Italy) and 1999 (Hong Kong). On December 15, 2001 he defeated Shonie Carter by unanimous decision in San Jose, California, to win the IKF International Kickboxing Federation Pro Light Heavyweight Sanda World Title.[4] In May 2003, Le entered into K-1 competitions where he garnered a 3–0 career record, including one knockout.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Strikeforce

Le made his mixed martial arts debut at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie on March 10, 2006, at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, knocking out kickboxing rival Mike Altman at 3:51 of the first round. Le first met Altman in San Jose, in 1999, in a kickboxing bout where he defeated Altman via a body shot in the third round. Three months later he faced KOTC veteran Brian Warren, knocking him out at 4:19 of the first round. Le had also faced Warren in a K-1 Sanshou bout where he won by decision. At Strikeforce: Triple Threat on December 8, 2006, Le defeated UFC veteran Jason Von Flue in 0:43 of round one, when the fight had to be stopped due to a cut from a kick strike. Le went on to fight Tony Fryklund. Le beat Fryklund via TKO due to strikes late in the third round. Soon after Le fought Sammy Morgan at Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives where he won the bout via TKO.

On March 29, 2008, Le defeated long time MMA veteran Frank Shamrock in a fight co-promoted by Strikeforce and EliteXC at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Le won via TKO when Frank Shamrock's right arm ( ulna) was broken after a series of kicks, making him the new Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. On September 17, 2009, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced that Le had relinquished his belt after securing a major motion picture deal.[6]

Twenty-one months after his last fight, Le returned to Strikeforce to face Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Evolution on December 19, 2009. Le suffered his first MMA defeat there, losing via TKO at 3:25 of the third round. After the match, Le expressed interest in an immediate rematch with Smith. His wish was granted on June 26, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum, in which Le defeated Smith via TKO in the second round to avenge his only MMA loss at the time.[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Le has said that it is basically the UFC or bust for him at this point in his fighting career. “I know for a fact that if I do fight again, it’s going to be in the UFC. I’ve never fought in the UFC, but I would love to fight in the UFC. But right now because of my contract with Showtime and Stikeforce, hopefully things can work out because there is a show in San Jose that Cain Velasquez is the main event. I would love to fight in San Jose for the UFC ....”[8] In an interview with BloodyElbow on October 27, 2012, Le revealed he originally signed a six-fight contract with the UFC.[9]

Le was briefly linked to a matchup with Vitor Belfort on November 19, 2011, at UFC 139.[10] However, Belfort was removed from the bout and replaced by former Pride FC Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva.[11] Le managed to confuse Silva with his unorthodox kicks, and landed a spinning backfist that dropped Silva. During the second round, Silva managed to shake Le with huge punches and knees that completely broke Le's nose. Le was stunned, bloodied and fell to the ground, and the fight was stopped by the referee.[12] Afterwards, in the press conference, Dana White commented that it was a good stoppage and that Cung was taken to the hospital.

Le was scheduled to face former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148.[13] However, due to an injury to headliner Vitor Belfort, Franklin instead faced Wanderlei Silva in a 190 lb catchweight rematch on June 23, 2012 at UFC 147.[14] Le instead faced former title contender Patrick Côté.[15] He earned his first UFC win via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Le faced Rich Franklin in the main event on November 10, 2012, at UFC: Macao.[16] Cung Le won the fight via KO with a powerful hook punch to Franklin's head at 2:17 of the first round.

The Ultimate Fighter: China

In November 2013, it was announced that Le would serve as the chief coach and mentor on The Ultimate Fighter: China, the China-based version of The Ultimate Fighter which began airing in December 2013.[17]

After over a year-and-a-half of being away from competition, Le faced Michael Bisping on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 48.[18] After an even start, Le was cut around both eyes in the second round, as Bisping began to land the more powerful strikes. Bisping eventually won the one sided fight via TKO in the fourth round.[19] Following the fight, Le tested positive for elevated levels of HGH and was subsequently suspended from competition for nine months.[20] However, after reevaluating the evidence against Le, the UFC increased his suspension to 12 months.[21] There has been some dispute of the test, as the testing laboratory in question was not WADA-approved, did not do the appropriate HGH test,[22] and destroyed the blood sample before confirmatory tests could be done.[23] Ultimately, on October 21, the UFC reversed their decision and rescinded Le's suspension in light of the aforementioned flaws.[24] On December 3, 2014, Le told the media that he instructed his manager to request Le's release from UFC due to the drug-test dispute.[25]

On December 16, 2014, Le was listed as one of three MMA fighters who filed a class-action lawsuit against Zuffa, LLC., the parent company of the UFC. The suit alleges that the UFC participated in anti-competitive practices that hindered fighters and their mixed martial arts careers. Le was the only currently active UFC fighter to be involved in the lawsuit.[26]

Retirement from MMA

On January 20, 2015, his manager, Gary Ibarra, announced to the media that Le had retired from MMA. Le's decision came after reconsidering his career with his family. He had previously expressed his lack of desire to fight in the UFC and contemplated retirement following the performance-enhancing drug disputes he had with the promotion in 2014. Le believed that the UFC owed him an apology for accusing him of using drugs when the test results later turned out to be faulty. Le, however, said that his retirement was only in MMA. He talked about the possibility of returning to professional kickboxing competitions, where he was active prior to his MMA debut.[27]

Acting career

Le co-starred in the live-action Tekken film, based upon the popular martial arts fighting game, as Marshall Law, released November 5, 2009 for the American film market. Le had supporting roles in the science fiction film Pandorum with Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster, and Fighting, released in 2009 alongside Channing Tatum. He also starred in a Hong Kong martial arts film Bodyguards and Assassins, which was released on December 18, 2009; his film was the first time he worked with and had a fight scene with Hong Kong martial arts superstar Donnie Yen.

He also appeared in a Vietnamese music show Paris By Night 99 - Tôi Là Người Việt Nam where he was interviewed by Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen; this show also marked one of the few times Le has spoken Vietnamese on camera.

Le had a lead role in the 2012 action film Dragon Eyes, costarring Jean-Claude Van Damme and produced by Joel Silver. The movie is based on the Akira Kurosawa classic Yojimbo and is "MMA-themed".[28] Also in 2012, Le played Bronze Lion in The Man with the Iron Fists, a film directed by RZA.

In 2014, he starred in Puncture Wounds, an action film directed by Giorgio Serafini, co-directed and written by James Coyne.[29]

Personal life

Le has two sons with his ex-wife.[30] He and his second wife were married in August 2009.[31] The couple had their first child together in 2010.[32]

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

  • Amateur Athletic Union
    • AAU Espoir Freestyle National Championship (1989)
    • AAU Espoir Greco-Roman National Championship (1989)

Kickboxing

  • International Sport Karate Association
    • ISKA Sanshou North American Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship (one time)
    • ISKA Sanshou U.S. Light Heavyweight Championship (one time)
    • ISKA Sanshou U.S. Light Cruiserweight Championship (one time)
  • Ho Tet Tae Kwon Do
    • Ho Tet Tae Kwon Do Tournament 1994 Grand Champion
  • USA International World Championships
    • 1996 Continuous Sparring Tae Kwon Do World Champion
  • World Wide Draka Federation
    • 1998 Draka Tournament winner
  • Shidokan Cup Bare-Knuckle Full Contact Karate
    • 1998 Shidokan Cup U.S. Tournament winner

Mixed martial arts

  • MMAFighting.com
    • 2012 Knockout of the Year vs. Rich Franklin on November 10[34]
  • Inside MMA
    • 2008 Fight of the Year Bazzie Award vs. Frank Shamrock on March 29

Submission grappling

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 9–3 Michael Bisping TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Le August 23, 2014 4 0:57 Macau, SAR, China
Win 9–2 Rich Franklin KO (punch) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le November 10, 2012 1 2:17 Macau, SAR, China Knockout of the Night; Knockout of the Year (2012).
Win 8–2 Patrick Côté Decision (unanimous) UFC 148 July 7, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 7–2 Wanderlei Silva TKO (knees and punches) UFC 139 November 19, 2011 2 4:49 San Jose, California, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 7–1 Scott Smith TKO (spinning back kick and punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum June 26, 2010 2 1:46 San Jose, California, United States
Loss 6–1 Scott Smith TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Evolution December 19, 2009 3 3:25 San Jose, California, United States
Win 6–0 Frank Shamrock TKO (broken arm) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le March 29, 2008 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Won Strikeforce Middleweight Championship; later vacated title; Fight of the Year (2008).
Win 5–0 Sammy Morgan TKO (body kick) Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives November 16, 2007 3 1:58 San Jose, California, United States
Win 4–0 Tony Fryklund TKO (body kick and punches) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni June 22, 2007 3 0:25 San Jose, California, United States
Win 3–0 Jason Von Flue TKO (doctor stoppage) Strikeforce: Triple Threat December 8, 2006 1 0:43 San Jose, California, United States
Win 2–0 Brian Warren KO (punches) Strikeforce: Revenge June 9, 2006 1 4:19 San Jose, California, United States
Win 1–0 Mike Altman KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie March 10, 2006 1 3:51 San Jose, California, United States

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
17 wins (12 KOs), 0 losses
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–0 Brian Ebersole Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce June 4, 2005 5 San Jose, California
Win 16–0 Brian Warren Decision (unanimous) K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas I April 30, 2004 4 2:00 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 15–0 Phil Petit Decision (unanimous) K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II August 15, 2003 4 2:00 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 14–0 Scott Sheely TKO K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas May 2, 2003 2 1:13 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 13–0 Shonie Carter Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce December 15, 2001 5 San Jose, California Won IKF World Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship
Win 12–0 Jeff Thornhill KO (spinning back fist) Strikeforce September 15, 2000 3 San Jose, California Won ISKA North American Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 11–0 Laimon M. Keita Decision (unanimous) K-1 USA Championships 2000 August 5, 2000 5 3:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Defended ISKA U.S. Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship
Win 10–0 Mike Altman KO (double roundhouse kick) Strikeforce May 13, 2000 3 0:30 San Jose, California Defended ISKA Light Cruiserweight Sanshou Championship
Win 9–0 Na Shun Gerile TKO (scissor kick) Art of War: China vs. USA 1999 3 Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 8–0 Scott Sheely TKO (broken cheek bone) Strikeforce May 15, 1999 2 0:59 San Jose, California Won ISKA U.S. Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship
Win 7–0 Dan Garett KO (body kick) Strikeforce October 10, 1998 3 0:20 San Jose, California Won ISKA Light Cruiserweight Sanshou Championship
Win 6–0 Arne Soldwedel KO (right hook) 1998 Shidokan Cup August 29, 1998 7 Chicago, Illinois Won Shidokan Team USA Championship, 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup final
Win 5–0 Laimon M. Keita Submission (foot lock) 1998 Shidokan Cup August 29, 1998 2 Chicago, Illinois 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup semifinal
Win 4–0 Ben Harris KO (spinning hook kick) 1998 Shidokan Cup August 29, 1998 2 Chicago, Illinois 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup quarterfinal
Win 3–0 Minaru Taro KO (head kick) Draka V May 24, 1998 1 Los Angeles, California 1998 Draka Tournament final
Win 2–0 Gaik Isrelyan Decision (unanimous) Draka V May 24, 1998 5 Los Angeles, California 1998 Draka Tournament semifinal
Win 1–0 Jason Yee Decision (unanimous) 1997 Kung Fu Championships August 31, 1997 4 2:00 Orlando, Florida

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Film and television credits

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Sleight of Hand Victor Indie film
2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Himself TV series episode: "Legends"
2004 Kwoon Mort Ission Direct-to-video
2006 Dark Assassin The Assassin Indie film
2007 Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter Erik Film
2009 Fighting Dragon Le Major film
Pandorum Manh Major film
Bodyguards and Assassins Sa Zhen-Shan Film
Tekken Marshall Law Major film
2010 True Legend Militia Leader Film
NCIS: Los Angeles Himself TV series episode: "Hand-to-Hand"
2012 Dragon Eyes Ryan Hong Major film
The Man with the Iron Fists Bronze Lion Major film
2013 The Grandmasters Tiexieqi Major film
2014 The Ultimate Fighter: China Mentor Reality TV series
Puncture Wounds John Nguyen Film
2015 Into the Badlands TV series

See also

References

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  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Official Cung Le Website. Cungle.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-27.
  5. ↑ Kungfu Magazine: Magazine Feature Article. Ezine.kungfumagazine.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-27.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  7. ↑ Strikeforce: Cung Le TKOs Scott Smith. MMA Fighting. Retrieved on 2010-08-27.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ [1]
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Preceded by 2nd Strikeforce Middleweight Champion
March 29, 2008 – September 17, 2009		 Vacant
Le stepped down due
to filming obligations
Title next held by
Jake Shields
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