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While Rich Franklin is aware he’s on the tail-end of his career, he isn’t ready to be done with fighting yet. Franklin says his loss to Cung Le was a major set back in his career, and it basically left him without direction for some time. Franklin says he’s now back on track, and he’s working on a comeback.

Cung Le was unable to hold off Wanderlei Silva when the two met, as “The Axe Murderer” broke Le’s nose and earned a TKO victory.

Since that time, both fighters have picked up wins, and Le believes a rematch would make for interesting television – coupling it with The Ultimate Fighter.

“If that fight does come up and it includes a coaching spot, I’m all over it,” said Le, during a recent Q&A session. “I grew up watching Wanderlei. I was just honored to be in the Octagon with him.”

Le added that, despite the loss on his resume to Silva, he feels it was avenged by his knockout of Rich Franklin.

“I knocked out Rich, who’s beaten Wanderlei twice, so it’s almost a reward in itself.”

These two may be past their primes, and even competing in different divisions, but if they were paired up together for an international season of TUF, I doubt many hardcore fans would be upset about it.

Following Cung Le’s most recent win over Rich Franklin, he talks about his elbow surgeries and where he stands in his own eyes.

Cung Le offers up a little insight as to why he parted ways with AKA. While Le holds them in high regard still, he felt the need to separate himself from what he felt to be a gym surrounded by ego.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cung Le held a Q&A session last week with fight fans and was asked his thoughts about a possible future meeting with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

While some may laugh at the notion of the 40-year-old Le becoming a top contender, he has strong market appeal overseas and is a former Strikeforce champion.

So, what did he have to say in regards to meeting the fighter many consider the Michael Jordan of MMA?

I’m sure afterwards I’d probably go to the hospital, get some stitches. But for me, maybe he kicks my ass nine out of 10 times, but that one time – you never known because it’s MMA and anything can happen.

Silva’s camp previously stated that Le could be his next opponent before “The Spider” was booked for a summer match with Chris Weidman. The movie star added that “I think that would be a very fun fight, only only for myself, but for the fans.”

Is there any interest at all for Silva-Le from the general MMA fans out there? Maybe Le followers believe he would have a chance, but does he? Even in this crazy sport we all love?

Cung Le and Frank Shamrock gave Strikeforce a stable base to stand on when they met back in 2008, as the two helped take the promotion to the next level.

Le, who was just 5-0 at the time, stepped in to meet the former UFC champion and legendary fighter in San Jose. The bout, which Le won via TKO after Shamrock suffered a broken arm, was named “Fight of the Year by several outlets.”

“It was one of those fights that, you know, styles make fights,” said Le, during a recent interview with FightLine.com. “He knew that the spin-kicks were coming, and he caught me off guard when I tried to do the kicks.”

Le gained an extra level of respect for Shamrock after he injured his arm, saying, “He just didn’t go down, even after I broke his arm, he still tried to fight me.”

After winning the belt, Le surrendered the title without ever losing it, as he signed a deal to star in a major motion picture. The part-time fighter/part-time actor has since appeared in such films as “Pandorum,” “Fighting,” and “The Man with the Iron Fists.”

Le is currently signed to the UFC, where he holds a 2-1 mark. His most recent bout was a knockout victory over another former champion, Rich Franklin.

Photo credit: Showtime

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le is no dummy.

If talk of a potential meeting with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is out there, Le is going to follow up.

“If the UFC wants me to fight after our discussion, I’m totally open for it,” said Le, while appearing on The MMA Hour Monday. “For me, I don’t mind either way. I’m just happy that I’m in the mix.”

Le vaulted himself to a contender spot by knocking out Rich Franklin last year. That came on the heels of a victory over Patrick Cote, improving his record to 9-2 overall.

Le hasn’t been as active as other fighters due to his booming movie career, but the 40-year-old doesn’t appear to be headed for retirement just yet. Instead, he is actually focusing more on facing some of the top names in his division.

“I’d be excited to see how I do, whether I get beat up or whatever,” Le said. “It doesn’t matter. That’s why we compete. That’s why we challenge ourselves.”

Photo credit: Showtime

Maybe Ed Soares is just trying to play a prank on members of the MMA media.

Maybe Soares isn’t, who knows.

During a recent interview with Cage Fanatic, Soares – the manager for UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva – hinted that Cung Le could be the next opponent for “The Spider.”

Le, who is on a two-fight win streak in the UFC, is a former Strikeforce middleweight champion and carries a strong name recognition to the Octagon. Le, however, doesn’t have the same kind of resume as a Chris Weidman or even Luke Rockhold, though that doesn’t always appear to be of importance in match-making nowadays.

Cung Le is coming off of three wins or something like that where he’s got a little bit of a name, but I mean it’s really hard in that division because it’s so evenly matched. All the opponents, on any given day, one of those guys can beat each other. So, you know, once again, whoever the UFC decided, we’re in.

Silva seems likely to return to action earlier in 2013 than previously expected, as he was targeting a summer fight. Instead, the Brazilian could be competing on Memorial Day in May.

Cung Le is riding a two-fight win streak that includes a knockout of former UFC champion Rich Franklin.

However, Le will not be hitting anything for a while after undergoing surgery to remove several bone spurs from his elbow.

I just got these bones spurs taking out of my elbow this morning! I don’t know how long I’ll be out. Update coming soon twitter.com/CungLe185/stat…

— Cung Le (@CungLe185) December 19, 2012

Le (9-2) improved to 2-1 inside the Octagon when he dropped Franklin in China recently. The 40-year-old splits his time training with filming movies. He has stated his desire to continue fighting despite reaching an age where most retire from the sport.

Main event fighters Cung Le and Rich Franklin were each dealt six-month medical suspensions following their bout at UFC on Fuel TV 6 over the weekend. The card took place in China, with Le knocking out Franklin in the first round.

As always, all of the fighters can be cleared earlier than their suspensions by a doctor.

UFC ON FUEL TV: FRANKLIN VS. LE MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS

Cung Le suspended for 180 days unless cleared by doctor after x-ray of right elbow; also suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Rich Franklin suspended for 180 days unless cleared by doctor for left thumb injury; also suspended for 45 days, including 30 days without contact.

Thiago Silva suspended for 180 days unless cleared by doctor after x-ray of right hand; also suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Stanislav Nedkov suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Paulo Thiago suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Takanori Gomi suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Mac Danzig suspended for 180 days unless cleared by doctor after x-ray of left thumb and left elbow; also suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Tiequan Zhang suspended indefinitely unless cleared by ENT for nasal fracture; also suspended 180 days unless cleared by doctor for left thumb injury.

Jon Tuck suspended indefinitely unless cleared by doctor following MRI of right shoulder; also suspended 180 days unless cleared with a negative urinalysis and normal renal ultrasound; also suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Jeff Hougland suspended for 60 days, including 45 days without contact.

Motonobu Tezuka suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.

Yasuhiro Urushitani suspended for 45 days, including 30 days without contact.

Tom DeBlass suspended for 30 days, including 21 days without contact.