Quote of the Day: Cung Le Answers the Keyboard Critics, Talks Jake Shields, Scott Smith, Strikeforce
by Kid Nate on Dec 18, 2009 12:53 PM EST
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Heavy.com: There seems to be a perception on the internet, at least among the hardest of the hardcore fans, that you are either handpicking your opponents or Scott is hand-picking easy opponents for you. Why do you think that perception exists?
Cung Le: I don't know. Those fans aren't the ones handling the promotion of the show, or trying to sell tickets. They're not the ones putting these shows together. Everyone is going to have their own opinion, of course. And I understand that there are hardcore MMA fans. But in order for this sport to grow, the sport needs your average fans like the NFL, like baseball or basketball.
We need those people to follow MMA and to become fans of MMA. And sometimes the matches that the hardcore fan wants to see might not appeal to the regular, casual fan. And I think Scott Coker, out of everyone involved with Strikeforce, understands that. He understands that in order to move the company to a higher level, to the level of other major league sports, to the level of football or baseball or basketball, you have to get more fans. And if we're just trying to put the fights together that hardcore MMA fans want to see, how are we going to move forward?
I've sat down and asked Scott Coker about that, and we agree. The more fans you get, the more you can pay your fighters. It becomes more lucrative for the fighters and for the promotion, too. I trust in Scott's vision and I believe that he's doing the right thing.
I mean, look at someone like Jacare (Ronaldo Souza). If the hardcore fans want to see a jiu-jitsu match, I'm sure they can match Jacare up with Jake Shields. They can have a jiu-jitsu match. And then people who haven't seen MMA will watch that fight, and they won't understand it. They'll think MMA is ground fighting.
You need compelling matchups. The Scott Smith fight is an interesting fight. I don't think that's an easy fight for me, not at all. That's not a handpicked opponent! For me to come back after being away for two years and fight someone like Scott Smith? I don't think that's a handpicked opponent at all.
People can say whatever they want to see. They're just keyboard warriors. Go right ahead and keep clicking away at that keyboard. It doesn't bother me at all.
Cung Le talking to Heavy.com
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Someone with good
wrestling and jits, maybe Dan Henderson or Jake shields… I’d pick Hendo over le for sure… I think le can beat mr lay n pray shields
by kanodogg on Dec 18, 2009 1:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Jacare, Hendo, Shields… striking wouldn’t matter.
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
by Patrick Tenney on Dec 18, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
Robbie Lawler would be better than Smith
Don’t tell me Le vs. Lawler would draw worse than Le vs. Smith.
http://www.mmarocks.pl
https://twitter.com/mmarocks_pl
It would’ve been a bigger fight, but Lawler is too difficult opponent for Cung to come back to that’s why that fight wasn’t made.
by scrambledeggs on Dec 18, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Well, that's not what Cung is saying...
http://www.mmarocks.pl
https://twitter.com/mmarocks_pl
Right both guys are available to fight and Lawler beat up Smith twice but Smith is in the main event against Cung and Lawler has to have an opponent search done and now off the card.
Somewhat his fault he’s not fighting on this card since Monte Cox turned down the Jacare fight, but with that said Lawler/Cung Le is a better fight than Cung vs Scott Smith.
by scrambledeggs on Dec 18, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
I love the insults.
Go back to making crappy movies.
Seriously, if he hand’t been feed a stream of guy who will stand on the outside and wait for a heel kick to land on the side of their head, Le wouldn’t be a name period.
Somehow, the lack of him fighting hasn’t hurt this keyboard critic’s enjoyment in MMA at all.
by Razreshat on Dec 18, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
Don't throw stones after talking about insults
He handled that question really well considering. He says we can still do our thing (keyboarding) and he is going to do his. If the man would rather get paid more to fake-fight aliens in movies than getting Hendo-PUNCHED I’m fine with that. Hell that seems reasonable
"All I guarantee is violence" - Wand
by rockied on Dec 18, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Totally, man!
He should have to fight Vitor, Anderson, and Hendo all in a row! It’s not like each of them has 3-4 times as many wins on their record as Le does total fights.
LOL
Exactly. Why are people hating on Cung Le? He has just a couple of fights in MMA and people want him to be fighting the best already?
by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 18, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Probably because he was Strikeforce champion. I guess you agree Strikeforce’s belts are meaningless.
A champion should have to fight whoever the number one contender is.
He vacated his belt because of his inability to commit to a schedule. If you’re cynical, he did it to duck Jake Shields. If the latter is the reason, then he’s being smart. A 6-0 fighter should not be going against a top 10 divisional fighter. He recognized the belt was a liability to him and brought obligations that he couldn’t fulfill. Either way, he no longer has a responsibility to fight anyone in particular until ink hits paper.
Can’t people just enjoy some talented journeymen fighting? Titles are nothing more than marketing tools. Not every fight needs to involve them.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Dec 18, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Can’t wait to see Melvin manhoef vs le, that’s bound to happen
by kanodogg on Dec 18, 2009 1:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I already made this joke today, btu I am using it again
I know how they can promote that fight, “First three rows get free vietnamese bbq after Cung Le gets smoked”
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
Haha..
Vietnamese aren’t known for their BBQ.
First 3 rows get a bowl of Pho.
No Le would get smoked, so BBQ. Its kind of the joke. Maybe pho would be funny if I knew what that was.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
It's a noodle soup
Sometimes with beef or chicken. It’s really good with rooster sauce. (I call it rooster sauce because it has a rooster on it but I think its called Toung Ot or something)
Sriracha
And you should always add less than you think; it mostly settles to the bottom, as I found out the first time I had Pho and chugged my broth.
Yeah Tuong Ot is the brand.
That shit is sooooo good. I put it on everything. Rice, soup, steak, pizza, burgers, everything. I go through a large bottle every couple of weeks. I also have a heartburn problem.
Maybe he confusing them for Korean since they all look alike
by kanodogg on Dec 18, 2009 6:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
WAR LE
Hope to see a great fight tomorrow night, but…
He can say whatever he wants, but he wants no parts of Nick Diaz or Jake Shields. End of story.
Aside from that, Strikeforce, not surprisingly, understands it’d be a waste to match him up with an opponent who’d simply secure a take down, and then submit him.
by Michael Hatamoto on Dec 18, 2009 1:27 PM EST reply actions
Why do we expect too much from Le?
He is still not 100% committed to MMA and would be likely making movies for another year. The mere fact that he is on this card, fighting, is good enough for me.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
For a guy to sit on a title for a year, drop it without defending and then immediately agree to take a gift-wrapped W of a fight, he sure talks a mean game. Le isn’t known well enough outside martial arts/MMA fans to be a draw. Le-Smith will not draw more than Le-Shields would have. He knows he does not want any part of a real contender and is just trying to throw smoke and mirrors at us.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Dec 18, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions
I think Le is being smart about who he fights, make no bones about it. But both he and Coker were pretty clear with me that the timeline of how this fight happened was a bit crazy. He was planning not to fight for some time when this place on his schedule magically appeared. I think he’s very brave to take a fight at all….
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
I guess there is some element of bravery in taking a fight against a mid-level journeyman coming off a loss… If he beats you, man do you look terrible.
Cung Le is an actor who is fighting as a hobby. Taking on a tough professional is not something everyone would do. Don “The Dragon” Wilson talked a good game but never stepped up….
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
He was hardly vicious
Talking about the hardcore fans (In fact, it was pretty tame what he said). And he only mentioned Shields. Holy misleading story title.
Why is everyone complaining about this?
He didn’t insult anybody and basically said what’s up. We get to see a guy with some of the best striking credentials in MMA fight. He doesn’t seem interested at taking a run at the title, just wants to scrap a bit. Stop complaining and enjoy the side kicks.
He calls the hardcore fans keyboard warriors and basically said our opinion doesn’t matter, that’s not insulting?
The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)
by ufc4 on Dec 18, 2009 2:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It is insulting
But it is also true.
by John Nash on Dec 18, 2009 2:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 9 recs
Well it’s not like a lot of casual fans are gonna go out of their way to watch a Strikeforce card on Showtime.
The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)
by ufc4 on Dec 18, 2009 2:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well
we are keyboard warriors. He is also answering criticism about himself. By him saying that only an elite group of internet posters are bothered by him…..and what these people say about him doesn’t bother him in return…..I say big deal.
There’s less hate for AO who isn’t going to defend his title in 3 yrs and will still hold the HW title. What about Rampage leaving a shit-ton of fans in limbo who were looking forward to Shad/Page?
I think there’s more important things to get offended by.
"Maybe Mur is going through menopause and is retaining water"---Ubernoober
we should get offended by the people being offended by Le’s offending statements!
cagar é uma filosofia profunda...
a merda bate na água e a água bate na bunda.
by Orcus on Dec 18, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i hate this quote
“They’ll think MMA is ground fighting.”
And they wont think mma is “standup fighting” when they see cung vs smith? kind of a dumb remark if you ask me
I love watching that fight and saying out loud what I assume Scott Smith is thinking.
“Ok, ow, alright, FUCK MY LIVER, ah, ok, love taps, pitter pat-OW DAMMIT!”
What a BS way to ask a question
“There seems to be a perception on the internet, at least among the hardest of the hardcore fans, that you are either handpicking your opponents or Scott is hand-picking easy opponents for you. Why do you think that perception exists?”
No concrete examples of anyone actually claiming Le’s opponents are hand-picked are actually offered to support this question. No, just weasel your way around the question by saying “internet fans say …” when, in fact, you’re the only person actually putting the idea out there. Man up and own the question straight out, already.
by andherewego on Dec 18, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yes, I think it’s better to ask someone a question where you cite links.
Cung Le: Can you repeat that URL? I am trying to write that down for reference?
LOL..are you disagreeing with the premise that there are internet fans talking about Cung Le cherry picking fights?
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
I love you, andherewego. It’s nice knowing that I can always count on you for mindless trolling.
Heavy.com -- Lead Staff Writer
Did the interview take place in Los Angeles or was it Anaheim? Your credibility hangs by a thread Botter….
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
I know you guys defend your site to the death
But the question was worded in a way to illicit the “keyboard warriors” response. You could have easily said: “There seems to be a perception that you are either handpicking your opponents or Scott is hand-picking easy opponents for you. Do you feel that’s valid?”
I personally don’t think the talk of Le choosing his opponents is as rampant as the interview made it seem.
Guilty.
I disagree that the talk about Le isn’t rampant. Go to the UG and you will see it. I bet it was here at BE too. I would say go to Sherdog, but that would be cruel.
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
Also
I want to cite the example of szucconi:
"I am the one talking about his can crushing. Cite me.
Cung Le cherry picks fight."
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
It may not be rampant right now, at 4:40 ET on December 18. But it’s been rampant throughout Cung’s entire career.
Believe me, he’s heard it all. This is not the first time he’s been asked that exact question.
Heavy.com -- Lead Staff Writer
This is not the first time he’s been asked that exact question
Then why ask it? Seriousy, I’m not trying to be an asshole here but wouldn’t your time with him have been better spent asking something that he doesn’t hear every interview? Or were you trying to elicit an angry response?
The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)
I don’t understand what the issue is. Jeremy has been around the block, asked a question, and Cung was comfortable enough with him to give a real and substantive answer. Lots of people can ask a question. It takes the right person at the right time to get an answer.
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
Amen.
Andherewego is totally right. It’s an intellectual cop-out for writers to pose questions or make statements in this roundabout way, using a phantom, third-person “they” instead of saying “I”, and using “fans” as a conduit for expressing their own opinion.
There’s not an opinion in there at all. Cung Le has been criticized for the fights he has chosen (or the fights Strikeforce has chosen for him). Does he think those criticisms are warranted? How does he decide what fights are right for him? These are legitimate questions.
Why would Jeremy personalize things and make the criticisms his? He may not believe those criticisms are warranted. It’s the issue that needs to be addressed. Making himself the critic wouldn’t be a very smart way of establishing a rapport or getting a real answer.
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 18, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t believe Cung Le does hand-pick fights and I don’t believe Scott is hand-picking his fights, either. I asked the question because it’s been a critique leveled at him for some time now, and I’ve never seen him give a real answer. I didn’t expect a real answer here, either, but I caught him at a good (or bad, depending on how you look at it) time and he answered the question truthfully.
My job isn’t to talk about my opinion with fighters. My opinion means absolutely nothing. My job is to ask questions that people want to know the answers to. The fact that people feel insulted by his answer does not mean the question isn’t warranted.
Heavy.com -- Lead Staff Writer
Le isn't an elite fighter
The biggest win he has is against a decrepit Frank Shamrock, which was a back and forth fight that Frank was showboating in. I never got why everyone considers him so good and his striking as some of the best MMA has ever seen. That being said, he should probably beat the unintelligent brawler Smith, since Smith will choose to stand with him. There is no way he would beat Jacare, Shields, Lawler, Mayhem, Lindland, Diaz, Hendo, or even Manhoef.
Cung Le = Overrated and I have thought that for a LONG time.
False
This list would be fine for a young guy to be brought about slowly. But Le got a title shot after this list. He won and validated getting the shot, but now he thinks his shit doesn’t stink.
Sam Morgan
Tony Fryklund
Jason Von Flue
Brian Warren
Mike Altman
Beating Frank Shamrock still means something, but he is 1-3 in his last 4, looked bad vs Diaz, and hasn’t really beaten anyone of high regard in mma in over 9 years.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
I was a huge Cung Le fan
I was hoping he’d try to test himself with tough fights, but that was just not the case.
I still like him as a fighter and he’s exciting to watch, but I don’t expect much from him.
Being a “champ” gives him some cred when he’s doing movies.
I’ve come to accept the fact that he’s just in it for the show, and not actually greatness.
you pay cung enough money to fight tough fights and im sure he would fight anyone.. im sure that goes for all fighters
I wouldn’t go so far as to say he turns down tough fights, but its in his and Coker’s interest to keep his record clean and not test his weakness’. Its more of an understanding then an agreement. Smith is the perfect guy for him to fight. No real risk of the fight going to the ground, very traditional standup fighter, Le will come in with a style where he is used to fighting traditional fighters while smith is not used to Le’s style. Its like the southpaw paradox in boxing.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
After such a long layoff are fans expecting him to fight against the #1 contender Diaz in strikeforce? that would just be poor business.
by pandaboy99 on Dec 18, 2009 4:57 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Keyboard warriors eh...?
Screw you Cung Le.
37-year-old and he’s off filming b-movies. What kind of MMA fighter is that, he doesn’t care about accomplishing anything in the sport, it’s just an easy paycheck for him.
I’m a big fan of Nick Diaz, but… now he’s the #1 contender at 185? C’mon. After such a long hiatus, I’d expect him not to be favoured. It’s in Strikeforce and Scott Coker’s interest to show that their last MW Champion really deserved the belt. Seeing as their present MW Champ is questionable IMO. Last time I checked this was MMA not San Shou, but why would we expect anything other than a San Shou fight from Cung Le. I hear fighters say,“I want to test myself.” But, “Le and Coker want to keep his record clean and not test his weaknesses.” this statement makes me sick. When I watch Strikeforce or UFC I expect to see MMA, not Jiu Jitsu, but I also expect to see MMA not San Shou. If Cung Le isn’t handpicking his opponents, someone else is. And in my opinion if he never gets taken down in an MMA fight, he never was a Mixed Martial Artist. And If someone tries telling me that Shamrock tried to take him down and couldn’t, I’m going to beat them with my own, torn ACL , MCL and arthritic knees.
I am blinded by a sea of green.
1) Diaz is the #1 contender for WW (170 lbs). Will most likely fight for the WW title on Jan. 30th.
2) The way you build up a fighters matters. If Cung Le keeps winning when they increase his competition, then he will fight tougher opponents. Strikeforce or Cung Le gain nothing by throwing him to the wolves and not giving him enough time to develop and transition properly.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 18, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
LOL@building up Le
The guy is 37 years old and fights as a hobby, let’s not pretend like he’s a 24 year old prospect they are trying to groom for the future, he has already won their belt and given it up without defending it even once.
The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)
I agree
I can’t believe people are getting so worked up about this.
"Maybe Mur is going through menopause and is retaining water"---Ubernoober
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