Cung Le
Cung Le | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Jiu-Jitsu | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kickboxing record | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wins | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
By knockout | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Losses | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Draws | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wins | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
By knockout | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
By decision | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Losses | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
By knockout | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Sunshine Spring Le | ||||||||||||||||||||
Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Website | www | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Cung Le (
Background
Cung Lê was born in Saigon, South Vietnam (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). In 1975, three days before the
Le began
Sanshou and kickboxing career
Le has won three US Open International Martial Arts Championships (1994, 1995, 1996). In 1998 he won the Shidokan tournament championship.[8] 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.[9] In May 2003, Le entered into K-1 competitions where he garnered a 3–0 career record, including one knockout.[9]
Mixed martial arts career
Strikeforce
Le made his mixed martial arts debut at
On March 29, 2008, at
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.[11]
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 Strikeforce, 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 ...."[12] In an interview with BloodyElbow on October 27, 2011, Le revealed he originally signed a six-fight contract with the UFC.[13]
Le was briefly linked to a matchup with
Le was scheduled to face former
Le faced Rich Franklin in the main event on November 10, 2012, at UFC: Macao.[20] 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.[21]
After over a year-and-a-half of being away from competition, Le faced
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. At the time Le was the only active fighter on the organization's roster to be involved in the lawsuit.[30]
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.[31]
Acting career
Le co-starred in the live-action
He also appeared in a Vietnamese music show
Le had a lead role in the 2012 action film
In 2014, he starred in Puncture Wounds, an action film directed by Giorgio Serafini, co-directed and written by James Coyne.[33]
In 2015, he appeared as an abbot in the AMC TV series Into the Badlands.
In 2017, he appeared in the action movie Savage Dog alongside martial artists and action stars Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror.
Film and television credits
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1997 | Sleight of Hand | Victor | |
2001 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Himself | TV series episode: "Legends" |
2004 | Kwoon | Mort Ission | Direct-to-video |
2006 | Dark Assassin | The Assassin | |
2007 | Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter | Erik | |
2009 | Fighting | Dragon Le | |
Pandorum | Manh | ||
Bodyguards and Assassins | Sa Zhen-Shan | ||
Tekken | Marshall Law |
||
2010 | True Legend | Militia Leader | |
NCIS: Los Angeles | Himself | TV series episode: "Hand-to-Hand" | |
2012 | Dragon Eyes | Ryan Hong | |
The Man with the Iron Fists | Bronze Lion | ||
2013 | The Grandmaster | Tiexieqi | |
2014 | The Ultimate Fighter: China | Mentor | Reality TV series |
Puncture Wounds | John Nguyen | ||
2015–2017 | Into the Badlands | Cyan / Abbot 1 | TV series; 4 episodes |
2015 | Hawaii Five-0 |
Yakuza member | TV series episode: "Pa'a Ka 'ipuka I Ka 'Upena Nananana" |
2017 | Savage Dog | alongside Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror | |
Security | Dead Eyes | ||
2018 | Europe Raiders | Black Mantis |
Fighting style
Cung Le was primarily a stand-up fighter known for his highly unorthodox striking. Drawing from his backgrounds in
Personal life
Le has two sons with his ex-wife.[36] He is married to a Native American bikini model Sunshine Spring Le.[37] [38]
He often honors Vietnamese communities with the flag of South Vietnam in his fighting uniforms to remember his Vietnamese heritage.
He is fluent in both English and Vietnamese.[39]
Le is a Christian and openly expresses his faith throughout social media [40][41]
Championships and accomplishments
Kickboxing
Wushu sanda
Submission grappling
|
Mixed martial arts
Amateur wrestling
|
Mixed martial arts record
12 matches | 9 wins | 3 losses |
By knockout | 8 | 3 |
By decision | 1 | 0 |
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 | KO (body kick) | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum | June 26, 2010 | 2 | 1:46 | San Jose, California, United States | |
Loss | 6–1 | Scott Smith | KO/TKO (punches)[44] | 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 the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship. Later vacated title. Fight of the Year (2008). |
Win | 5–0 | Sam Morgan | KO (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 | KO (punch) | 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 | TKO (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
17 wins (9 KOs), 0 losses | |||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 4, 2005 | Win | Brian Ebersole | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | N/A | 17–0 | |
April 30, 2004 | Win | Brian Warren | K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas I
|
Las Vegas, Nevada
|
Decision (unanimous) | 4 | 2:00 | 16–0 | |
August 15, 2003 | Win | Phil Petit | K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II
|
Las Vegas, Nevada | Decision (unanimous) | 4 | 2:00 | 15–0 | |
May 2, 2003 | Win | Scott Sheely | K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas
|
Las Vegas, Nevada | TKO (strikes) | 2 | 1:13 | 14–0 | |
December 15, 2001 | Win | Shonie Carter | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | N/A | 13–0 | Won IKF World Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship |
September 15, 2000 | Win | Jeff Thornhill | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | KO (spinning back fist) | 3 | N/A | 12–0 | Won ISKA North American Light Heavyweight Championship |
August 5, 2000 | Win | Laimon M. Keita | K-1 USA Championships 2000
|
Las Vegas, Nevada | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 11–0 | Defended ISKA U.S. Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship |
May 13, 2000 | Win | Mike Altman | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | KO (double roundhouse kick) | 3 | 0:30 | 10–0 | Defended ISKA Light Cruiserweight Sanshou Championship |
1999 | Win | Na Shun Gerile | Art of War: China vs. USA | Honolulu, Hawaii
|
TKO (scissor kick) | 3 | N/A | 9–0 | |
May 15, 1999 | Win | Scott Sheely | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | TKO (broken cheek bone) | 2 | 0:59 | 8–0 | Won ISKA U.S. Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship |
October 10, 1998 | Win | Dan Garett | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | KO (body kick) | 3 | 0:20 | 7–0 | Won ISKA Light Cruiserweight Sanshou Championship |
August 29, 1998 | Win | Arne Soldwedel | 1998 Shidokan Cup | Chicago, Illinois
|
KO (right hook) | 7 | N/A | 6–0 | Won Shidokan Team USA Championship, 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup final |
August 29, 1998 | Win | Laimon M. Keita | 1998 Shidokan Cup | Chicago, Illinois | Submission (foot lock) | 2 | N/A | 5–0 | 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup semifinal |
August 29, 1998 | Win | Ben Harris | 1998 Shidokan Cup | Chicago, Illinois | KO (spinning hook kick) | 2 | N/A | 4–0 | 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup quarterfinal |
May 24, 1998 | Win | Minaru Taro | Draka V | Los Angeles, California
|
KO (head kick) | 1 | N/A | 3–0 | 1998 Draka Tournament final |
May 24, 1998 | Win | Gaik Isrelyan | Draka V | Los Angeles, California | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | N/A | 2–0 | 1998 Draka Tournament semifinal |
August 31, 1997 | Win | Jason Yee | 1997 Kung Fu Championships | Orlando, Florida | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | N/A | 1–0 | |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
See also
References
- ^ https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cung-Le-14883
- ^ a b c d "Cung Le". ESPN. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cung-Le-14883
- ^ "Cung Lee". www.usadojo.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 48 video: Emotional Cung Le on his escape from Saigon and growing up without a father". 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Cung Le". UFC. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
- ^ Cheng, Mark (2001-01-01). "Rising Son". Black Belt: 49.
- ^ Kungfu Magazine: Magazine Feature Article. Ezine.kungfumagazine.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-27.
- ^ a b The Official Cung Le Website Archived 2009-02-28 at the Wayback Machine. Cungle.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-27.
- ^ "LE STEPS DOWN; SHIELDS VS. LAWLER FOR 185 BELT". MMAWeekly.com. 2009-09-17. Archived from the original on 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ Strikeforce: Cung Le TKOs Scott Smith. MMA Fighting. Retrieved on 2010-08-27.
- ^ "It's UFC or Bust for Former Strikeforce Champ Cung Le". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. MMAWeekly.com. July 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ "UFC Macao: Cung Le says no to TRT". bloodyelbow.com. October 27, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
- ^ "Vitor Belfort says he's fighting Cung Le at UFC 139 in San Jose". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
- ^ "UFC 139 shakeup: Vitor Belfort out, Wanderlei Silva in against Cung Le". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ Hendricks, Maggie (2011-11-19). "Wanderlei Silva returns to win column over Cung Le at UFC 139 - Cagewriter - UFC Blog - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
- ^ "Rich Franklin Vs. Cung Le On Tap For UFC 148 On July 7th". bloodyelbow.com. March 18, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
- ^ "Rich Franklin steps into UFC 147 headliner against Wanderlei Silva". mmajunkie.com. May 30, 2012. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Cung Le vs. Patrick Cote targeted for UFC 148". mmajunkie.com. May 30, 2012. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Burke, Tim (August 5, 2012). "Rich Franklin Vs. Cung Le Set For UFC On Fuel 6 Main Event In Macau". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ "'The Ultimate Fighter: China' cast revealed, series debuts Dec. 7". MMAJunkie.com. November 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ Luke Thomas (2014-05-24). "Cung Le vs. Michael Bisping headlines August Macau card, Hector Lombard vs. Dong Hyun Kim to serve as co-main event". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
- ^ Buster Evans (2014-08-23). "UFC Fight Night 48 Recap: Michael Bisping Destroys Cung Le". lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ "Cung Le tests positive for HGH following UFC Fight Night Macau". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. September 30, 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
- Yahoo News. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Top scientist says to ignore Cung Le's HGH test result". Bloody Elbow. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- ^ Marrocco, Steven (7 October 2014). "UFC remains steadfast in Cung Le's test result, but lab failed to meet WADA criteria". USA Today. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (21 October 2014). "Cung Le's suspension for elevated levels of HGH rescinded by UFC". MMAFighting. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ Dave Doyle (December 3, 2014). "Cung Le requests contract release; calls UFC 'something I don't believe in anymore'". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "UFC class-action lawsuit plaintiffs include Cung Le, Jon Fitch and Nate Quarry". mmajunkie.com. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-16.
- ^ Marrocco, Steven (20 January 2015). "UFC vet, former Strikeforce champ Cung Le retires from MMA". MMAJunkie. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ Moody, Mike (25 September 2010). "MMA fighter Cung Le joins 'Dragon Eyes'". Digital Spy.
- ^ Spring, Mike (2014-03-11). "What's new & noteworthy on DVD & Blu-ray – March 11, 2014". Times Union. Albany, NY. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ /https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1246614-ufc-148-fight-card-cung-le-and-the-10-most-unorthodox-strikers-in-mma
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Signature Moves: Cung Le". YouTube.
- ^ "KNOXX's Cung Le talks about 2008 and his upcoming movies for 2009". KNOXXGEAR.com. 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ "Exclusive Cung Le Interview". 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
- ^ "Cung Le on his rematch with Scott Smith". KUNGFUMAGAZINE.com. 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Nguyên Khôi phỏng vấn Lê Cung". YouTube.
- ^ "How This Former UFC Fighter Became a Demon Slayer - with Cung le". YouTube.
- ^ "Instagram".
- ^ "Black Belt Hall of Fame . Inductee Directory". Archived from the original on 2010-12-20. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
- ^ Doyle, Dave (December 22, 2012). "Knockout of the Year: Cung Le vs. Rich Franklin". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
- ^ "Cung Le". ufcstats.com. Zuffa, LLC. Retrieved January 10, 2023.