Strikeforce World Champ Cung Le (Pictures) To Appear on ESPN National TV July 16

MMA sensation to appear on ESPNEWS' ‘The Hot List'

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Reigning Strikeforce World Middleweight (185 lb. limit) Champion, Cung Le (Pictures), will appear live on the national cable network show, ESPNEWS' ‘The Hot List' on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:10 p.m. EST (2:10 p.m. PST).

During the interview, Le, who has appeared repeatedly, of late, on the wildly popular Strikeforce on NBC weekly mixed martial arts (MMA) series, will share his thoughts on the explosive growth of MMA, where he feels the sport is headed and its rumored Olympic potential.

Le has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport of MMA. His third round TKO of legendary champion, Frank Shamrock (Pictures), which aired live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, March 29th, earned the Vietnamese-born fighter the Strikeforce (www.Strikeforceusa.net) world title and marked his greatest professional victory to date.

Le has been touted as Hollywood's next big martial arts film star. His role in the forthcoming release, Fighting, co-starring Terrence Howard, will mark Le's debut on the silver screen. Le was also recently cast in the silver screen adaptation of the smash hit video game franchise, Tekken, slated for release next year.

WHAT: Strikeforce World Middleweight Champion, Cung Le (Pictures), to appear on ESPNEWS' ‘The Hot List'

WHEN: Wednesday, July 16 at 5:10 p.m. EST (2:10 p.m. PST)

WHERE: ESPNEWS (Check your local listings for channel information)

About Strikeforce

Strikeforce is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock (Pictures) against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie (Pictures) at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie." Since then, it has co-produced the first SHOWTIME PPV mixed martial arts event in history with its world championship "Shamrock vs. Baroni" card on June 22, 2007.

About Strikeforce on NBC

Strikeforce on NBC brings you face-to-face with some of the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the nation, every Saturday night! From top professional competitors and champions to the up-and-coming challengers, you'll get an insider's perspective on the world's most extreme sport. Experience the adrenaline-filled, heart-pounding action that comes with each round in the cage - this is a series that will put MMA fans on the edge of their seats!

Strikeforce on NBC, hosted by veteran commentators Lon McEachern of ESPN and MMA pioneer Ken "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Shamrock, is the first 52-week Mixed Martial Arts series on a major television network airing throughout the country between 1:00am and 4:00am late Saturday nights. Each 30-minute episode will include fighter profiles, interviews, intense Strikeforce bouts & highlights and other behind-the-scenes action. Experience a typical day of those competing in the fastest-growing segment of martial arts combat sports.

Check your local listings for showtimes. Strikeforce on NBC not available in your city? Call you local NBC affiliate or watch all the episodes online at: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23035818