411 MMA Interviews: Cung Le of Strikeforce
Posted by Jeffrey Harris on 08.07.2009
The Strikeforce Middleweight Champion speaks to 411mania for an exclusive interview to talk about his film career, his status with Strikeforce, and when he might step into the cage to fight again.
This year at the San Diego Comic-Con, I caught up with Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Cung Le, who attended the convention to promote his new action figure from the Round 5 MMA series and also the new movie he will be appearing in next month, Pandorum, starring Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster. Cung Le began his martial arts career as a professional kickboxer before where he was undefeated before moving into MMA, where his professional record currently stands at 6-0. Le's last fight was against Frank Shamrock in March 2008, where Le defeated Shamrock and won the Strikeforce middleweight belt. Since that time however, Le has yet to fight as he's been putting a lot of time into acting work and film shoots, earlier this year he appeared in the movie, Fighting, starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard, a movie for which Cung Le appeared on the UFC 97 PPV to promote.
Currently, Le still looks forward to fighting again soon, and he was extremely approachable and gracious in agreeing to an interview with 411mania:
Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Cung Le.
Jeffrey "The Vile One" Harris: So how was Comic Con, and was it your first one?
Cung Le: This was the first Comic Con I had ever been too. To say I had a blast is an understatement. So many people from so many walks of life were there and I enjoyed all of the fans as well as the people watching in between the 'work' stuff. I promoted my new Round 5 MMA action figure and did a media day for my new movie Pandorum which comes out September 18th. I definitely hope to be part of Comic Con next year.
TVO: Can you tell us anything about your role in the new movie Pandorum which was getting some play at the Con?
CL: My role in the upcoming movie Pandorum is a supporting lead role to Ben Foster and Dennis Quaid. I play a crew member who has been awake for a long period of time and I am well aware of what is going on and know how to stay alive at all costs. I also did 95% of my own stunts so I think the fans will enjoy this one.
TVO: Speaking hypothetically, as Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, what would it take at this point for you to get in the cage with say Nick Diaz or Jake Shields in a title bout by say next year? Could that be in the cards?
CL: Yes anything could be in the cards right now since Strikeforce has taken over the contracts of most of the Pro Elite fighters. I really don't get into who I will fight next, Scott Coker has been promoting my fights since my Sanshou kickboxing days and I let him do all the promotion and match making. Recently, we have discussed a CBS fight that could take place at the end of this year or early next year. That is all I know right now. As soon as we figure something out I will announce it on my website cungle.com so fans stay tuned.
TVO: Has there been any offer for you to appear in EA's MMA game? Would you accept that offer even if it means you could never, ever fight in the UFC?
CL: Too late. I already took the offer a long time ago. I don't know exactly when the game is coming out but I will announce it through my website when I get a heads up.
TVO: What do you think is the key to beating Nick Diaz? In my humble opinion, yourself fighting Diaz would be a really cool fight to see.
CL: I would not stand in front of Nick for one. I would come in shape and I would fight my fight not his.
TVO: Do you consider yourself a fan of MMA and martial arts outside of your MMA career?
CL: Yes I am a big fan of MMA ever since the first cage fights were televised. I am amazed at the athleticism of the competitors now a days and I still watch almost every big fight that comes along.
TVO: What's your opinion on the Cesar Gracie fighters like Nick Diaz and Jake Shields who can arguably lay claim to being contenders for the middleweight belt? Nick Diaz has definitely been an outspoken and controversial figure in MMA throughout the years.
TVO: Cesar Gracie has a great stable of fighters like Nick and Jake. I think both fighters have made a big impact in Strikeforce and currently are contenders for the middleweight belt.
TVO: So what's it like going to a comic convention and having your very own action figure? Did you ever imagine that would happen?
CL: This has been a nonstop ride ever since I got into MMA. I am so grateful for all that I have and feel honored to have my own Round 5 Action Figure. I am living the American dream.
TVO: When we spoke, you also talked about doing film shoots overseas in Asia. Who have you worked with as of late?
CL: Last December, I worked with Master Woo-Ping who is the most famous action director in all of China and is know in the United States for the action and fights in The Matrix and Kill Bill. He directed me in True Legends, which is going to be released January of next year. Also I just got done filming in May on a Chinese film titled Bodyguards and Assasins with Donnie Yen and Producer and award winning Director Peter Chan which will be released in December of this year. There are pictures on cungle.com or imdb.com under Cung Le.
TVO: Fighting is a tough sport on your body, and you are definitely becoming successful with your film career; doing a training camp can also be costly. However, for me and fans that would really like to see you fight again soon, when do you think your schedule might be clear enough for you to prepare for a fight again, or is it more a matter of signing the right deal with Strikeforce?
CL: I have a contract with Strikeforce and I have always remained open to fighting, just working out the details with Scott Coker. I definitely have the itch to fight, unfortunately in the past year the Strikeforce events did not match up with the movies that I filmed. I also look forward to stepping back into the cage.
TVO: Frank Shamrock: sagely veteran, or arrogant dude with bouncing balls?
CL: Frank is Frank . . . you either hate him or love him. He knows how to get paid. I am grateful that Scott Coker put together the fight last year against Frank and myself. I don't have anything personally against him and I wish him the best. He has fought many hard won battles and in this industry unfortunately you are only as good as your last fight. He has had a bad run recently but he still has done a lot for the sport and is a legend.
TVO: Any sponsors you would like to thank or give a shout out to?
CL: Yes please: ADX, Knoxx, BR Flooring, Zebra Mats, Magnum Drywall, SCORE Clinic, and Strongvon. Thank you very much.
TVO: Once again Cung, thanks for your time.
CL: Thanks again and I would like to thank all the fans for all your support.
Pandorum, featuring Cung Le, is being released theatrically on September 18. Cung Le will also be appearing in the new live action Tekken movie as Marshall Law, tentatively set for release some time this year. Once again we would like to thank Cung Le for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with us. Strikeforce's next event, Cyborg VS. Carano, will be on August 15 from San Jose, airing live on Showtime. Remember you can check out 411mania.com/mma for our live coverage of the event. Don't forget you can also follow 411mania.com on our Twitter, so get the tweeting!
Lets hope Cung does fight before the end of this year or at the beginning of next year.
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on August 07, 2009 at 03:34 PM
That guy will never come back to MMA again that's for sure...especially now that they are putting up an interim title! See you in the straight-to-dvd movies Dung Le...
Posted By: Durden (Guest) on August 07, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Yeah, I don't think that we'll see Cung in the ring anytime soon, which is too bad. I'd love to see him fight some of the bigger names in the sport. I doubt he has the competitive fire to really focus on fighting again.
Posted By: senator (Guest) on August 14, 2009 at 11:49 AM
