Cung Le Hanging Up Fighting For Acting?

[hunterkiller]

Five Ounces of Pain | Cung Le might not be long for MMA

Cung Le’s next MMA opponent uncertain, it appears his next major career move could be to establish himself further as an actor.

In a new interview with TopGunMMA.com, Le indicated that he plans to commit himself more to filming movies in the near future.

“I have two movies that are going to be released,” Le is quoted as saying in the interview, referencing his role as Marshall Law in the upcoming Tekken movie as well as another movie in post-production entitled “Fighting. “One at the end of this year and one next year with decent sized roles in there. Not huge roles and then all of a sudden this is a huge role. Pays pretty good too. It’s comparable to fighting.”

Le also already has his next project lined up.

“Right now we’re in talks with John Woo for one of his next projects,” he revealed to TopGunMMA.com. “I don’t know exactly when I will fight again but I make sure I’m staying in shape and just being smart about things. Picking and choosing my projects and also my fights.”

Towards the latter stages of the interview, the 36-year old former San Shou champion gave some hints that his MMA career could come to a close sooner rather than later.

“I feel like I am at a crossroads,” said Le. “I feel like I still got a couple more good fights in me but at the same time I have to be smart. I’m at a crossroads. I can’t stretch myself too thin. I gotta be smart about things. Right now the door is open for Hollywood and it’s not like any fighters out there get this kind of opportunity and pass it up because he or she wants to fight.”

Sucks he's even contemplating leaving. I don't think he's even scratched the surface on what he can do in MMA. But at 36, he's not exactly a young guy for just getting into the sport. Make that money while you can. Good luck dude. Can we at least see him fight Anderson once?

[diction10]

Yeah I think its more about him realizing you have to dedicate a lot of time and energy into fighting and trying to juggle it with acting will not work well. Assuming he's a decent actor he could have a long career still ahead of him, whereas at 36 in MMA he probably doesn't have as long.

I agree that he's barely touched the surface and it would suck to see him go, just because of how unique and entertaining it is to watch him fight. Hopefully if he does decide to pursue acting we'll get a few more good fights out of him.

[Mr. Raider]

I think its kinda weak if this happens, but for my own selfish reasons I guess. I really wanna see him fight more, but why sacrafice your body when you can make money acting? Whatever he does I'll still be a fan. I love Jet li as an actor but have never seen him fight in competition, at least if Cung is successful as an actor you can say hey that dude is bad, He actually faught MMA and won. He should defend the belt at least once IMO. A farewell fight if you will, and it might as well be against Frank.

[MYboyBISPING]

Im Viet and yeah im on Cung Le coat tails but yeah at 36 like thecoylewis says make that money. I didn't know he was gonna play Law in Tekken awesome.

[Harlem]

I accually think Retirement for acting might be a smart move for him. Don't get me wrong, he does have alot he could prove, but does he really need to prove it?

He's beaten one of the best MMArtists of all time in Frank Shamrock and most people didn't think he could do that. He's already proven what he can do in MMA, he's still undefeated, and is the strike force champion.

Not a bad move to get out on top and keep your legecy and mistique intact.

[KcMizzou]

Man, I'd hate to see him go. The guy's a lot of fun to watch.


I had no idea he was 36.

[atj-lucko]

Originally Posted by harlemhustla145

I accually think Retirement for acting might be a smart move for him. Don't get me wrong, he does have alot he could prove, but does he really need to prove it?

He's beaten one of the best MMArtists of all time in Frank Shamrock and most people didn't think he could do that. He's already proven what he can do in MMA, he's still undefeated, and is the strike force champion.

Not a bad move to get out on top and keep your legecy and mistique intact.

Have to disagree I don't think he has any kind of Legacy and Frank Shamrock hasn't fought any one good in over a decade (last one being Jeremy Horn 1998).
I don't even think Frank Shamrock could hang with the top MW fights like Hendo and Franklin.

[Harlem]

Originally Posted by atj-lucko

Have to disagree I don't think he has any kind of Legacy and Frank Shamrock hasn't fought any one good in over a decade (last one being Jeremy Horn 1998).
I don't even think Frank Shamrock could hang with the top MW fights like Hendo and Franklin.

Not 100% sure about Hendo, but I think he would beat Franklin's ass. Frank has some pretty sick standup and great ground game.

[Ramma]

Originally Posted by harlemhustla145

I accually think Retirement for acting might be a smart move for him. Don't get me wrong, he does have alot he could prove, but does he really need to prove it?

He's beaten one of the best MMArtists of all time in Frank Shamrock and most people didn't think he could do that. He's already proven what he can do in MMA, he's still undefeated, and is the strike force champion.

Not a bad move to get out on top and keep your legecy and mistique intact.

Agreed 100%.

The guy is 36, has been through a lot of wars, and is going to eventually start wearing down. Cung is only going to be able to accomplish so much (and he has already) in MMA because of his age. I have said that since his debut in MMA.

I think Cung Le will spend the next year to two years fighting and transitioning into acting. You figure, that is another 4 to 6 fights.

No, Cung Le won't be the next big action star, but he can have a pretty good career and it is a good outlet for him, because he is the real deal. He is a real fighter, you know?

[POINDEXTER]

Fighters are much better as fighters than as actors, IMO. Usually fighters either stink at acting or they only have roles where they mimic fighting, which is somewhat uninspiring.