It’s gone past passé to say that Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le has been conspicuously absent from the promotion’s expanding rotation.

Le (6-0) earned the title after defeating Frank Shamrock almost a year and a half ago but has yet to defend it. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has even relented in announcing that he’ll put an interim title up for grabs before the end of the year. Hopefully, the splintered lineage will be unified sooner than later.

Le, 37, said he’s spent his time away from the cage nursing injuries and surgeries, as well as acting in five films (including a co-starring turn with Dennis Quaid in the sci-fi flick “Pandorum” due out Sept. 18). Le hinted the promotion has bigger plans for him anyway.

“I already talked to Scott Coker about being on the card either at the end of the year or early next year and once he gets down with the fights this weekend I'm sure he'll start working on his next event,” said Le on Sherdog Radio Network's “Beatdown” show Wednesday. “As soon as his deal with CBS is all straightened out, I'm sure he'll get to me. He just recently acquired all the Pro Elite athletes so he's a very busy man right now.”

Strikeforce currently airs on Showtime, but there is strong indication the promotion will also be picked by the pay channel’s sister conglomerate, CBS, by the new year. CBS aired three EliteXC MMA events between May and October 2008.

Already a decorated San Shou veteran, Le entered MMA on the advice of his trainer Javier Mendez back in 2005. Since then he's been in more movies -- seven, to be exact -- than actual fights, drawing the ire of many fans. Le said he recognizes the fans’ frustrations, as they emulate his own.

“I made my debut in 2006 and ever since I started MMA I've had four surgeries -- broken nose, two elbow and hamstring surgery,” said Le.

One of those elbow surgeries came before his fight with Shamrock, said Le, preventing the fighter from rehabilitating the injury probably.

“I figure what am I going to do if I can't (fight) anymore? I have to make sure I have something to fall back on,” said Le. “I know the fans are upset, the ones that want to see me back in. But I hope they understand that I have a fall-back plan. Once that plan starts to look like it’s secure, then I can get back in and try to fight to the best of my abilities when I'm in the cage.”