Famed kickboxer Cung Le (4-0) will look to continue an undefeated streak in MMA when he takes on former UFC fighter Sam Morgan (18-8) at a Nov. 16 Strikeforce event.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the fight from a source close to the organization.
“Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives” takes place in San Jose, Calif. A broadcast partner for the event should be announced shortly.
The Le-Morgan middleweight bout further strengthens what’s shaping up to be one of the best cards in Strikeforce history.
Le, a 34-year-old Vietnamese-American, posted a 17-0 record with 12 knockouts in San Shou (a form of kickboxing with throws and takedowns) and a 3-0 record in K-1 kickboxing exhibition Superfights. He’s also a perfect 4-0 since transitioning into MMA. All four fights have ended via knockout — three of the four in the first round. Le is also a bit of an Internet legend; his highlight videos rank among some of the most popular clips on video-sharing sites such as YouTube.
Morgan, 26, turned pro in 2001 and got his big break when he was chosen as a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 2.” Morgan got a free pass through the first round when his opponent Kenny Stevens failed to make weight, but he was delivered a brutal knockout (via knee) from eventual show runner-up Luke Cummo in the show’s semifinals. He then lost to Josh Burkman in the show’s live finale before bouncing back for two wins outside the UFC. Most recently, he returned at UFC Fight Night 6 in August 2006 and dropped a unanimous-decision to Forrest Petz.
The upcoming Strikeforce event will also feature the first-ever tournament sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission. The four-man middleweight tournament will feature veteran fighters Falaniko Vitale, Trevor Prangley, Jorge Santiago and Yuki Sasaki.
Additionally, Strikeforce world light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth and U.S. middleweight champion Joe Riggs are in action, and Paul Buentello and Alistair Overeem will battle for the organization’s vacant heavyweight title. Undefeated world kickboxing champion Brian Schwartz (18-0) will also make his MMA debut at the event.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the fight from a source close to the organization.
“Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives” takes place in San Jose, Calif. A broadcast partner for the event should be announced shortly.
The Le-Morgan middleweight bout further strengthens what’s shaping up to be one of the best cards in Strikeforce history.
Le, a 34-year-old Vietnamese-American, posted a 17-0 record with 12 knockouts in San Shou (a form of kickboxing with throws and takedowns) and a 3-0 record in K-1 kickboxing exhibition Superfights. He’s also a perfect 4-0 since transitioning into MMA. All four fights have ended via knockout — three of the four in the first round. Le is also a bit of an Internet legend; his highlight videos rank among some of the most popular clips on video-sharing sites such as YouTube.
Morgan, 26, turned pro in 2001 and got his big break when he was chosen as a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 2.” Morgan got a free pass through the first round when his opponent Kenny Stevens failed to make weight, but he was delivered a brutal knockout (via knee) from eventual show runner-up Luke Cummo in the show’s semifinals. He then lost to Josh Burkman in the show’s live finale before bouncing back for two wins outside the UFC. Most recently, he returned at UFC Fight Night 6 in August 2006 and dropped a unanimous-decision to Forrest Petz.
The upcoming Strikeforce event will also feature the first-ever tournament sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission. The four-man middleweight tournament will feature veteran fighters Falaniko Vitale, Trevor Prangley, Jorge Santiago and Yuki Sasaki.
Additionally, Strikeforce world light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth and U.S. middleweight champion Joe Riggs are in action, and Paul Buentello and Alistair Overeem will battle for the organization’s vacant heavyweight title. Undefeated world kickboxing champion Brian Schwartz (18-0) will also make his MMA debut at the event.