Cung Le (right) gave Strikeforce some of its most exciting highlights

By Joshua Molina

The Ultimate Fighter will conclude this Saturday with a heavyweight main event of Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione.

But three years ago this weekend, “The Christmas Miracle,” rocked the MMA world.

As Strikeforce winds down before its reported final show on Jan. 12, it’s worth looking back one of the company’s most exciting moments — the night known as “The Christmas Miracle.”

On Dec. 19, 2009, rising star Cung Le stepped into the cage to fight the tough Scott Smith.

Le was a San Shou expert, one of the best kickboxers in America, who was also an emerging movie star.

King Cung was the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. He was undefeated and had gave up his title to pursue his Hollywood career.

His fights were sporadic, but that night he was expected to crush his opponent, the tough, but totally beatable, Scott Smith.

And that’s why you play the game.

Nearly 15,000 people packed San Jose’s HP Pavilion that night, at a time when Strikeforce was hot, and gaining momentum.

The undercard featured Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson for the Lightweight Championship and King Mo vs. Mike Whitehead.

The show was broadcast on Showtime.

Le, like everyone expected, beat up Smith in rounds one, two and half of three.

Le was too fast and his kicks were too powerful. Smith was a virtual punching bag for the Vietnamese-American kickboxer.

But something happened. Cung got tired. Throwing kicks is a lot more tiring than throwing punches.

By the middle of the third round, Le was blown up, and Smith was still warming up.

Smith never became a huge MMA star, but he was as exciting to watch as a Wanderlei Silva.

Smith was a classic man. He was brave and fought to the death. Smith didn’t have the skill to take his opponent down and ride him. He never wanted to anyway. He was a fighter, which meant he was swinging for your head.

Le was ready for the fight to end and Smith started to throw punches. After a whirlwind of combinations, Smith caught Le with a wicked left hook that dropped him.

Le hit the mat, bounced back up and then was greated by more devastating punches. A right hand put Le down for good.

With Showtime Analyst Frank Shamrock screaming, “All he has to do is finish him!” Smith pounded him as Le fell to his stomach.

The referee stopped the fight and Smith dropped to his knees and put his fists in the air.

Even he couldn’t believe it.

Smith pulled off a stunning upset. The aura around Le dissipated.

On that night, Smith was the King of San Jose.

It was a remarkable moment for a guy who wasn’t even on the Strikeforce: Evolution poster promoting the fight.

Smith would lose four straight fights after crushing Le, including a return fight against him.

Le would movevto the UFC and lose to Wanderlei Silva by TKO, and then beat Patrick Cote by decision, and then knock out Rich Franklin in thrilling fashion.

Today, Le is a middleweight championship contender, and Smith has fallen far off the radar.

But on that night, Dec. 19, 2009, Smith, like Strikeforce was hot and on top off the world, the kings of San Jose and surprises.

By Joshua Molina

The Ultimate Fighter will conclude this Saturday with a heavyweight main event of Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione.

But three years ago this weekend, “The Christmas Miracle,” rocked the MMA world.

As Strikeforce winds down before its reported final show on Jan. 12, it’s worth looking back one of the company’s most exciting moments — the night known as “The Christmas Miracle.”

On Dec. 19, 2009, rising star Cung Le stepped into the cage to fight the tough Scott Smith.

Le was a San Shou expert, one of the best kickboxers in America, who was also an emerging movie star.

King Cung was the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. He was undefeated and had gave up his title to pursue his Hollywood career.

His fights were sporadic, but that night he was expected to crush his opponent, the tough, but totally beatable, Scott Smith.

And that’s why you play the game.

Nearly 15,000 people packed San Jose’s HP Pavilion that night, at a time when Strikeforce was hot, and gaining momentum.

The undercard featured Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson for the Lightweight Championship and King Mo vs. Mike Whitehead.

The show was broadcast on Showtime.

Le, like everyone expected, beat up Smith in rounds one, two and half of three.

Le was too fast and his kicks were too powerful. Smith was a virtual punching bag for the Vietnamese-American kickboxer.

But something happened. Cung got tired. Throwing kicks is a lot more tiring than throwing punches.

By the middle of the third round, Le was blown up, and Smith was still warming up.

Smith never became a huge MMA star, but he was as exciting to watch as a Wanderlei Silva.

Smith was a classic man. He was brave and fought to the death. Smith didn’t have the skill to take his opponent down and ride him. He never wanted to anyway. He was a fighter, which meant he was swinging for your head.

Le was ready for the fight to end and Smith started to throw punches. After a whirlwind of combinations, Smith caught Le with a wicked left hook that dropped him.

Le hit the mat, bounced back up and then was greated by more devastating punches. A right hand put Le down for good.

With Showtime Analyst Frank Shamrock screaming, “All he has to do is finish him!” Smith pounded him as Le fell to his stomach.

The referee stopped the fight and Smith dropped to his knees and put his fists in the air.

Even he couldn’t believe it.

Smith pulled off a stunning upset. The aura around Le dissipated.

On that night, Smith was the King of San Jose.

It was a remarkable moment for a guy who wasn’t even on the Strikeforce: Evolution poster promoting the fight.

Smith would lose four straight fights after crushing Le, including a return fight against him.

Le would movevto the UFC and lose to Wanderlei Silva by TKO, and then beat Patrick Cote by decision, and then knock out Rich Franklin in thrilling fashion.

Today, Le is a middleweight championship contender, and Smith has fallen far off the radar.

But on that night, Dec. 19, 2009, Smith, like Strikeforce was hot and on top off the world, the kings of San Jose and surprises.