"LE STOPS SHAMROCK IN EPIC BATTLE "
March 29, 2008 - In an early candidate for fight of the year, San Shou kickboxer and still undefeated Cung Le (6-0) became Strikeforce's new world middleweight champion by stopping -- and breaking the arm of -- former title-holder Frank Shamrock (24-9-1).

The fight, the biggest in the history of the suddenly surging Strikeforce organization, capped off Saturday's co-promoted event with EliteXC. A San Jose, Calif. crowd packed the HP Pavilion. The main card aired live on Showtime.

After failing on an early takedown attempt, Shamrock never really again tried and was sporadically successful with leg kicks and a series of rights. However, Le picked him apart with counter-punches, strikes to the midsection, and dangerous head kicks. Those kicks would take a toll, eventually breaking Shamrock's right arm. A final head kick sent Shamrock stumbling back to his corner after the third round.

He'd never return.

As the third round came to a close, Shamrock's arm injuries were obvious. In a fight that first played out like a chess match, with each fighter complimenting his opponent's successes, the smiles and handshakes were gone by the third round. Instead, Shamrock cracked Le with strikes that had the fighter staggering and in survival mode. But, just before the round came to a close, Le threw a final head kick. Shamrock blocked it -- but broke his arm in the process.

With the victory -- Le's first over a known, established top-tier opponent -- the 34-year-old fighter has solidified his superstar status. His fame will only grow next month when he's prominently featured in the debut of "Strikeforce on NBC," the first weekly MMA series to air on major U.S. network television.

Le, one of perhaps the organization's most marketed stars, is the focus of the April 12 premiere.

"This is a dream come true," Le said. "Coming (to the U.S.) from Vietnam under gunfire and now world champion, I love it."