Cung Le vs. Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Evolution?
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Cung Le vs. Scott Smith likely for "Strikeforce: Evolution" on Dec. 19 by John Morgan and Dann Stupp on Nov 06, 2009 at 5:50 pm ET
Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le (6-0) may have vacated his belt to pursue a career in acting, but that doesn't mean he's given up fighting completely.
In fact, Le may return to action before the end of the year.
MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the event that Le has verbally agreed to face slugger Scott Smith (16-6) at the recently announced "Strikeforce: Evolution" event on Dec. 19 in San Jose, Calif.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com that a main event for "Evolution" had yet to be determined, but the heavily anticipated welterweight title fight between top contenders Nick Diaz and Jay Hieron would not fill that role. A bout between vaunted strikers and California residents Le and Smith might work well in the slot.
The planned bout would serve as Le's first in nearly 21 months. The former champ earned six-straight knockout or TKO wins under the Strikeforce banner en route to claiming the organization's 185-pound title with a win over Frank Shamrock in March 2008.
The 37-year-old never defended the belt, and instead vacated the title that Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Jake Shields will look to claim on the main card of Saturday's "Fedor vs. Rogers" event. The Vietnamese San Shou stylist has instead focused on acting, and appearances in "Tekken," "Pandorum," and "Fighting" took Le away from the cage.
Smith looks to rebound from a June submission loss to Nick Diaz in a 180-pound catchweight affair. "Hands of Steel" absorbed massive damage from Diaz during the three-round affair, and the defeat snapped a run of two-straight knockout wins under the Strikeforce banner.
The former UFC, WEC and EliteXC veteran owns 13 wins by knockout or TKO in his 16 career victories, and a bout with Le would undoubtedly prove a standup affair.
With the addition to the card, "Strikeforce: Evolution" now includes:
* Cung Le vs. Scott Smith*
* Champ Josh Thomson vs. TBA (for lightweight championship)*
* Matt Lindland vs. Ronald "Jacare" Souza*
* Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal vs. TBA*
* Robbie Lawler vs. TBA*
Smith is damn near impossible to finish on the feet, which is where Cung should have the advantage. Still, never count out Smith's boxing and power shots. Solid fight. Cung by UD.
Cung Le is going to run a lap on the cagewall then bounce off and bicycle kick Scott to the other side of the octagon, grab his head with his legs and Kung Lao backflip slam him through the mat...oh wait, this isn't the movies.
Cung Le by 2nd or 3rd round TKO. idk how Cungs ability is right now, but I believe he should be able to finish Scott.
I'd rather see Cung Le fight somebody of a little more standing than Smith like a Nick Diaz or Lawler if they're actually doing to see him fight for once.
Moreover, why on gods green earth are they vacating his title if he's going to be fighting a month later? It doesn't seem practical or sensical in the grand scheme of things.
I'd rather see Cung Le fight somebody of a little more standing than Smith like a Nick Diaz or Lawler if they're actually doing to see him fight for once.
Moreover, why on gods green earth are they vacating his title if he's going to be fighting a month later? It doesn't seem practical or sensical in the grand scheme of things.
I was confused by that too, but I think it's because they don't know how often he CAN fight. Sure he might be fighting in December, but when's his next fight? July? Of 2011? It's better that he gave it up, that way it can be defended a more often. And if he ever decides to fight full time again *BAM* title shot for the belt he never lost.
__________________ Roy Nelson's gut > You
Someone should tell Eddie Murphey that a Karate man can indeed bruise on the outside.
After seeing Smith get schooled by Diaz, in the stand-up I wouldnt think Le dosent even have to worry much about this fight. Scott is always willing to take a punch to the face if he thinks he can give one back. Le by UD or TKO in the 3rd.
__________________
Jeffrey "The Destroyer" Pigeon
Wins: 1 Loses:0 Draws: 0
I am a staunch supporter that Machida is still undefeated.
i'm pretty sure gross was joking on inside mma when he said that. if it's true, it makes no sense, why would he now return to fighting just after he gives up the belt? i hope he is fighting but i'm not counting on it.
Former Strikeforce middleweight titleholder Cung Le has vacated the championship to pursue interests outside the cage.
“He was not stripped,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said via text. “We had a conversation, and we both agreed it was the right thing to do.”
My guess is he planned on doing a few more movies, and something fell through or was going to be delayed. Maybe one of the movies he was doing in China, like the movie he talked about starring Donnie Yen.
I thought he had more movies planned then are on his IMDB resume. His last interview with Strikeforce, I thought he had 4 movies lined up, but I only count 3...maybe not.
Either way, he has been out of the cage for a while, I am sure he doesn't want to face the number 1 contender for his first fight back. Why not give up the belt, and fight anyone he wants....his first pick Scott Smith.
Cung Le vs. Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Evolution?
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