EVENT - Strikeforce: Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le

After months of circling around each other, world champions and Bay Area rivals, Frank Shamrock (23-8-1) and undefeated Cung Le (21-0), will finally face off in the cage when Shamrock defends his Strikeforce World Middleweight (185-pound limit) Championship against Le in the main event of an eagerly anticipated EliteXC-Strikeforce co-promoted mixed martial arts extravaganza Saturday, March 29, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Many times we've heard the phrase echoed, "this could be the greatest fight of the year." Well, this time it isn't just hype. "This bout has the potential to be one of the greatest mixed martial arts fights of all-time because of the tremendous skill level of both fighters and the way they match up," as Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated.

Shamrock, known for his pre-fight verbal barrage, said "being No. 2 isn't such a bad thing so Cung has nothing to be ashamed of. "But there's a big difference between being No. 1 and No. 2,'' Shamrock continued. "Le will find that out soon enough."

Shamrock is one who can usually back up his talk with his fists. At 35, he has cemented himself in the annals of Mixed Martial Arts. In 1997 Shamrock became the first UFC Middleweight Champion by submitting the 1992 Olympic Wrestling Gold Medalist Kevin Jackson with an armbar in a then-record 16 seconds. Probably his most celebrated victory, Shamrock took out Tito Ortiz in one of the greatest MMA battles of all-time.

Shamrock returned from a 3 year retirement on March 10th, 2006 in front of a sold-out record attendance crowd of 18,265 screaming MMA fans at Strikeforce's inaugural MMA show. He took on Cesar Gracie, and in devastating performance decimated the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in only 21 seconds.

Shamrock is widely recognized as the father of modern day mixed martial arts, a pioneer of complete fighting who boasts a dangerously versatile skill set, including western boxing, kickboxing and submission wrestling.

Cung Le, also 35, boasts 16 consecutive wins in professional kickboxing. Le also has four K-1 USA "Superfight" victories, an International Kickboxing Federation World 185-pound title, and an unbeaten Mixed Martial Arts record of 5-0.

Le's most recent victory comes over former "The Ultimate Fighter" (TUF) reality show contestant, Sam "The Squeeze" Morgan, with a 3rd round TKO by way of a solid liver kick. Five months prior to that, Le took out Tony "The Freak" Fryklund with yet another 3rd round TKO.

The five-round Shamrock-Le contest will highlight a SHOWTIME telecast that begins at 9 p.m. EST. Featuring a rock solid fight card that also includes a Strikeforce World Lightweight Championship fight between Champion Gilbert Melendez and Gabe Lemley. And in a welterweight contest, Jake Shields will battle Drew Fickett.

- STRIKEFORCE FIGHT CARD -

Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le

Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley

Jake Shields vs. Drew Fickett

Evangelista Santos vs. Joey Villasenor

Nick Diaz vs. Jae Suk Lim

Luke Stewart vs. Tiki Ghosn