Middleweight striking specialist Cung Le (7-1 MMA, 7-1 SF) has openly lobbied for a spot in the UFC's planned November trip to San Jose, Calif., but Strikeforce boss Scott Coker doesn't believe that's going to happen.However, Coker is hopeful Le will return to action soon – hopefully before year's end.
"Cung is going to fight in Strikeforce," Coker told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "Cung wants to fight in November because it's his home town. I'd like to see Cung fight in our December show."
Coker said Strikeforce will host an as-yet-unannounced December event, possibly even in California. But a UFC 139 booking, an event scheduled to take place at San Jose's HP Pavilion – the same venue where Le has fought all eight of his career MMA fights – is not likely to happen.
After all, save for Nick Diaz, it's "business as usual" for now.
"At some point, when we have more crossovers in the future, if it does happen, then that obviously will happen," Coker said. "But right now, nothing's changed."
Le, a San Jose resident, was a Strikeforce staple, beginning with the company's very first MMA event in March 2006. The San Shou stylist opened his career with six-straight knockout victories en route to claiming Strikeforce's middleweight title with a third-round TKO over Frank Shamrock. Le then vacated the belt in order to pursue a film career.
Le returned after a near-two-year hiatus to face Scott Smith and suffered his lone career loss. He claimed revenge with a June 2010 win over "Hands of Steel." Le hasn't fought since.
At 39 years old, Le is likely on the tail end of a decades-old combat sports career. But as far as Coker is concerned, it's not time for Le to hang 'em up just yet.
"We'll definitely have Cung back in the cage soon," Coker said. "We miss Cung Le."
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