Prime Cung Le and Prime Pele were around the same time. Would love to have seen THAT! Who wins that

This would have been an amazing fight!

Cung is 1 year older than Pele.

Cung fought mostly at 185 lbs.
Pele fought somewhere around 171 lbs? (correct me if I'm wrong)

Pele fought Chuck LIddell (albeit it was only like Chuck's 2nd or 3rd pro fight) down in Brazil in Vale Tudo rules, and it went to decision after 30 mins. With Pele knocking Chuck down at one point with a head kick. Ima say that again, he knocked a young Chuck down with a head kick. Pele is usually considered the prototype to Anderson Silva. He had terrific striking and great takedowns.

Pele holds wins over Matt Hughes, Pat Miletich and Cyborg Santos, among others.



Cung Le used to only fight San Shou rules. He was a kicking highlight reel in human form, with outstanding takedown ability to boot. He didn't enter mma until later in his career. But still managed to make a name for himself in the sport despite the late start.

Cung holds wins over Frank Shamrock (where he broke Frank's arm from a kick Frank actually blocked), Rich Franklin and Patrick Cote.




These guys are basically the same age, and they were fighting in their primes at the same time. But they never crossed paths. And DAMN it would have been AMAZING if they had!!!!! These were 2 walking, talking human HL reels of violence. Would've been a phenomenal fight.







vs





Who do you think wins that?

 

I'd take Pele. I feel like high level muay/dutch style kickboxing always bests any other forms of "flashy" kickboxing.
See Nieky Holzken vs Raymond Daniels.

 

Winner: USADA (TKO RD 1)

 

Cung takes that in his prime. Pele was extremely hit and miss in his fights. He had it all, but often failed to put it together when it mattered. Cung has been nothing but consistent throughout his career, with his losses being to much larger, much younger guys. It would have been a super fun fight though. This is a great fantasy match-up.

 

Mostly agree aside from the Wanderlei fight. That one is a blemish for sure, losing to Wanderlei at that point of his career. Scott Smith 1 might be said as well but that was the definition of a shit happens-fight for Cung.

 

As long as Cung doesn't get caught early, I'd take him. Pele's a dangerous guy, but he can be outlasted and didn't seem all that consistent.

Definitely a nice fight.

 

Cung was a beast! I think he woulda eventually KO'd Pele