Utlimate Fighting champion Cung Le is in China looking for the next Ultimate Fighter, reports the China Daily.
The Vietnamese American from San Jose is in China for six weeks to mentor 16 fighters who will compete for a six figure contract with the UFC as part of a Chinese reality show.
Le believes its time to move beyond what he considers some of the outdated traditions of the martial arts.
“It’s not about the grandmasters or honoring your coach anymore. Now it’s the new era, it’s about giving fighters the proper training to compete. It’s time for the Asian martial arts community to wake up and to realize the game involves so many different elements. We have to evolve or we will become extinct.”
The champion has appeared in several martial arts movies including Bodyguards and Assassins with Donny Yen.
“I want to represent all Asian people. In America, you get the white guys who are always up against the villains, who are the Asians and the Asian nerds. I think it’s time for someone to step up for the Asian guys to beat the white guys.”
You can read more about this trip to China in the China Daily.
You can learn more about Le in the brief biography video below.