Actor Channing Tatum, known for films like `21 Jump Street` and `Magic Mike,` has long been a devoted fan of mixed martial arts. During his high school years, he would circulate VHS tapes of early UFC fights among his friends, showcasing his early fascination with combat sports.
Before his upcoming role as Gambit in Marvel`s `Deadpool & Wolverine,` Channing Tatum starred in the 2009 film `Fighting,` where he met MMA fighter and co-star Cung Le. Years after working together, Tatum attended Le`s UFC bouts, remarking that the fighter`s distinctive style was reminiscent of video game moves, a high compliment from the actor.
Channing Tatum: Cung Le`s Moves Were Straight Out of Tekken
During an interview on Ariel Helwani`s show, Tatum was asked about rumors that Cung Le believed he could have been an excellent fighter if he chose. The actor chuckled, replying, “Yeah, no, Cung’s hilarious. I love him.” He added that Le thoroughly enjoyed filming `Fighting,` and they remained friends afterward.
Tatum emphasized his long-standing passion for combat sports: “I`ve always loved fighting. I remember in high school, we’d pass around tapes of the early UFC days — those tapes literally circulated throughout the entire school.” He continued, “So I’ve just been a fan of this sport, and Cung was such an exciting fighter. He was pulling off moves you only see in video games, even when he was competing in Strikeforce. He was doing things that made you think, `That`s only in Tekken!`” Tatum stated, referencing the popular video game franchise. “It`s crazy…”
In his professional career, Cung Le compiled a 7-1 record in Strikeforce before moving to the UFC, where he went 2-2. Le is a former Strikeforce and Sanda champion, and all but one of his professional victories came by knockout or technical knockout, showcasing his explosive fighting style.
Cung Le Portrayed Marshall Law in the Live-Action `Tekken` Movie
It`s possible that Le`s distinct fighting style directly led to his casting in the `Tekken` movie adaptation. In the 2010 film `Tekken,` Cung Le took on the iconic role of Marshall Law, a beloved character from the video game series. Although the movie, like many video game adaptations, largely flew under the radar, its cast and costumes faithfully replicated their video game counterparts.
Le impressively sported one of Law`s classic looks during his fight against the protagonist Jin Kazama, portrayed by Jon Foo, bringing a unique blend of martial arts authenticity to the silver screen.
