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Cung Le Bio

Cung Le (Vietnamese: Lê Cung) (born May 25, 1972) is a Vietnamese American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and actor from San Jose, California currently competing in Strikeforce. He is the former IKF Light Heavyweight San Shou World Champion and has a perfect professional San Shou record of 17-0 before moving to mixed martial arts. He defeated Frank Shamrock to become the second Strikeforce Middleweight Champion before vacating the title to further pursue his acting career. He is notable for his accurate and devastating kicks which have helped him win many knockout victories.

Life and career

Le was born in Saigon, South Vietnam. He fled his home country with his mother in 1975 as the capital city fell to communist rule (reportedly fleeing in a helicopter under machine gun fire). He ended up in San Jose, California where early racial bullying inspired him to learn to fight and also learn how to surf as a way to focus all his anger but after being beat down by a bunch of angry locals he decided to stick with martial arts. His mother enrolled him in Taekwondo classes at the age of 10. Since those first classes he has absorbed a variety of styles, and was undefeated as a professional kickboxer (16–0). He is a three time world champion obtaining and also coaches his own team, which is now 11–0 in team competition.

Wrestling

Le began wrestling competitively at age 14 after being inspired by his all time favorite actor Sylvester Stallone in Rocky 1 and earned All-American Honors in his Junior year of High School. He went on to wrestle for West Valley College in Saratoga, CA and won the California Junior College State Championship in the 158 lb weight class in 1990.

Kickboxing and Sanshou (Sanda, Kung Fu)

Le is undefeated in his professional Sanshou career (16–0). He has won three US Open International Martial Arts Championships (1994, 1995,1996). In 1998 he won the Shidokan tournament championship. He has also won 4 US National Championships (Orlando, Florida 1994, Dallas, TX, 1995, Baltimore, MD, 1997). He earned three bronze medals in his amateur Sanshou world competition. 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 Pro Light-Heavyweight San Shou World Title. In May 2003, Le entered into K-1 competitions where he garnered a 3–0 career record, including 1 knockout.

MMA career

Le and Frank Shamrock after their bout

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, 1999 in a kickboxing bout where he defated Altman via a body shot in the third round. Three months later he faced KOTC veteran Brian Warren, knocking him out with a flurry of punches at 4:19 of the first round. Le had also faced Warren in a K-1 Sanshou bout where by he won by a decision. At Strikeforce: Triple Threat on December 8, 2006, Le defeated UFC veteran Jason Von Flue in 0:43 of round 1 when the fight had to be stopped due to a cut from a knee by Le.

Le went on to fight the veteran Tony Fryklund who had just suffered a spectacular loss to Anderson Silva one year prior. Like Silva, Le beat Fryklund via KO late in the third round. Soon after Le fought Sammy Morgan at Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives. He utilized his throws to keep Morgan off and won the bout via TKO.

On March 29, 2008, Le defeated a 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 Shamrocks' right arm was broken after a series of kicks (ulna broken), making him Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.

On September 17, 2009, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced that Le had relinquished his belt after securing another major motion picture deal.

After 21 months since his last fight Le returned to Strikeforce to face Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Evolution on December 19, 2009. Despite dominating the majority of the fight, Le suffered his first defeat, losing via KO at 3:25 of round 3.

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 into the second round to avenge his only loss.

Acting career

Kung Fu Cinema confirms Le will co-star in the live-action Tekken film, based upon the popular martial arts fighting game, as Marshall Law. The movie has already completed filming, and is set to be released in 2010. 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 art film Bodyguards and Assassins, which was released on December 18, 2009.

Personal life

Le has two sons with his ex-wife. He and his second wife Suzanne were married in August 2009. The couple had their first child together, a boy named Robert Eric Le, on June 21, 2010.

Kickboxing and Sanshou record

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MMA record

External links

• CungLe.com (official website)
• IKF San Shou
• Professional MMA record for Cung Le from Sherdog
• Le's K-1 Record
• IMDB listing
• Kung fu Magazine: Cung Le, Sanshou's Goldben Boy
• http://www.richmondmma.ca/cung.jpg
• http://bleacherreport.com/articles/372839-former-strikeforce-champ-cung-le-on-smith-shamrock-and-shields

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