Cung Le
Cung Le in 2009
Born	(1972-05-25) May 25, 1972 (age 40) Saigon, South Vietnam (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division	Middleweight
Reach	69.0 in (175 cm)
Style	Kickboxing, Sanshou, Taekwondo, Wrestling[2][3]
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	San Jose, California
Team	American Kickboxing Academy, Universal Strength Headquarters
Trainer	Javier Mendez
Rank	Black belt in Taekwondo Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [4]
Kickboxing record
Total	17
Wins	17
By knockout	12
Losses	0
Draws	0
Mixed martial arts record
Total	9
Wins	7
By knockout	7
Losses	2
By knockout	2
Other information
Website	http://cungle.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Cung Le (Vietnamese: Lê Cung, born May 25, 1972) is a Vietnamese American^[5] Sanshou kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and actor from Saigon, Vietnam currently competing in the UFC. He is the former IKF Light Heavyweight San Shou World Champion and has a professional San Shou record of 16-0 before moving to mixed martial arts (he also held an undefeated kick-boxing record of 17-0). He defeated Frank Shamrock to become the second Strikeforce Middleweight Champion before vacating the title to further pursue his acting career.

Early life[link]

Cung Le was born in Saigon, Vietnam (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). In 1975, three days before the Fall of Saigon, Cung Le and his mother Anne left Vietnam by helicopter under heavy gunfire. He ended up in San Jose, California where early racial bullying inspired him to learn martial arts. His mother enrolled him in Taekwondo classes at the age of 10. Le has disciplines in a variety of martial arts, and was undefeated as a professional kickboxer with a record of 17 wins and 0 losses. He is a three time world champion in kickboxing and also coaches his own team, which is now 11–0 in team competition.^[6]

Le began wrestling competitively at age 14 after being inspired by his all time favorite actor Sylvester Stallone in Rocky 1 and earned All-American Honors in his Junior year of High School.^[7] He went on to wrestle for West Valley College in Saratoga, CA and won the California Junior College State Championship in the 158 lb weight class in 1990.^[8]

Sanshou career[link]

Le is undefeated in his professional Sanshou career (16–0).^[9] He has won three US Open International Martial Arts Championships (1994, 1995, 1996). In 1998 he won the Shidokan tournament championship.^[10] He has also won 4 US National Championships (Orlando, Florida 1994, Dallas, TX, 1995, Baltimore, MD, 1997). He earned three bronze medals in his amateur Sanshou world competition compiling an overall amateur record of 18–3. He has been a three-time captain of the United States teams that competed and was the U.S. team captain at the World Wushu Championships in 1997 (Italy) and 1999 (Hong Kong). On December 15, 2001 he defeated Shonie Carter by unanimous decision in San Jose, California to win the IKF International Kickboxing Federation Pro Light Heavyweight San Shou World Title.^[9] In May 2003, Le entered into K-1 competitions where he garnered a 3–0 career record, including 1 knockout.^[9]

Mixed martial arts career[link]

Strikeforce[link]

Le made his mixed martial arts debut at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie on March 10, 2006, at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, knocking out kickboxing rival Mike Altman at 3:51 of the first round. Le first met Altman in San Jose, 1999 in a kickboxing bout where he defeated Altman via a body shot in the third round. Three months later he faced KOTC veteran Brian Warren, knocking him out at 4:19 of the first round. Le had also faced Warren in a K-1 Sanshou bout where he won by decision. At Strikeforce: Triple Threat on December 8, 2006, Le defeated UFC veteran Jason Von Flue in 0:43 of round 1 when the fight had to be stopped due to a cut from a kick strike. Le went on to fight Tony Fryklund who had just suffered a spectacular loss to Anderson Silva. Like Silva, Le beat Fryklund via TKO due to strikes late in the third round. Soon after Le fought Sammy Morgan at Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives where he won the bout via TKO.

On March 29, 2008, Le defeated a long time MMA veteran Frank Shamrock in a fight co-promoted by Strikeforce and EliteXC at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Le won via TKO when Frank Shamrocks' right arm was broken after a series of kicks (ulna broken), making him the new Strikeforce Middleweight champion.On September 17, 2009, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced that Le had relinquished his belt after securing a major motion picture deal.^[11]

After 21 months since his last fight Le returned to Strikeforce to face Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Evolution on December 19, 2009. Le suffered his first MMA defeat, losing via KO at 3:25 of round 3. After the match, Le expressed interest in an immediate rematch with Smith. His wish was granted on June 26, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum in which Le defeated Smith via KO into the second round to avenge his only MMA loss at the time.^[12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship[link]

Le has said that it’s basically the UFC or bust for him at this point in his fighting career. “I know for a fact that if I do fight again, it’s going to be in the UFC. I’ve never fought in the UFC, but I would love to fight in the UFC. But right now because of my contract with Showtime and Strikeforce, hopefully things can work out because there is a show in San Jose that Cain Velasquez is the main event. I would love to fight in San Jose for the UFC....” said Le.^[13]

Le was briefly linked to a matchup with Vitor Belfort on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.^[14] However, Belfort was removed from the bout and replaced by Wanderlei Silva.^[15] Le managed to confuse Silva with his unorthodox kicks, and landed a spinning backfist that dropped Silva. During the second round, Silva managed to shake Le with huge punches and knees. Le was shaken and fell to the ground, and the fight was stopped by the ref.^[16] Afterwards in the press conference, Dana White commented that it was a good stoppage and that Cung was taken to the hospital.

Le was scheduled to face Rich Franklin on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148.^[17] However, due to an injury to headliner Vitor Belfort, Franklin is now scheduled to face Wanderlei Silva in a 190 lb catchweight bout on June 23, 2012 at UFC 147.^[18] Le is now expected to face returning veteran Patrick the predator Côté Patrick Côté.^[19]

Acting career[link]

Le co-starred in the live-action Tekken film, based upon the popular martial arts fighting game, as Marshall Law, released November 5, 2009 for the American Film Market. Le had supporting roles in the science fiction film Pandorum with Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster, and Fighting, released in 2009 alongside Channing Tatum. He also starred in a Hong Kong martial art film Bodyguards and Assassins, which was released on December 18, 2009. This film was the first time he worked with and had a fight scene with Hong Kong martial arts superstar Donnie Yen.

He also appeared in a Vietnamese music show "Paris By Night 99 - Tôi Là Người Việt Nam" where he was interviewed by Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen. This show also marked one of the few times Le has spoken Vietnamese on camera.

Le is set to play a lead role in the upcoming action film Dragon Eyes with Jean-Claude Van Damme, produced by Joel Silver. According to Deadline, the movie will be based on the Akira Kurosawa classic Yojimbo and will be "MMA-themed".^[20]

Personal life[link]

Le has two sons with his ex-wife.^[21] He and his second wife Suzanne were married in August 2009.^[22] The couple had their first child together, a boy named Robert Eric Le, on June 21, 2010.^[23]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Amateur wrestling[link]

• California Community College Athletic Association
  • CCCAA State Championship (1990)
  • CCCAA All-State (1990)
  • West Valley College Wrestling Team Captain (1990, 1991)

• Amateur Athletic Union
  • AAU Espior Freestyle National Championship (1989)
  • AAU Espior Greco-Roman National Championship (1989)

Kickboxing[link]

• International Kickboxing Federation
  • IKF Sanshou World Light Heavyweight Championship

• International Sport Karate Association
  • ISKA Sanshou North American Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship
  • ISKA Sanshou U.S. Light Heavyweight Championship
  • ISKA Sanshou U.S. Light Cruiserweight Championship

• Ho Tet Tae Kwon Do
  • Ho Tet Tae Kwon Do Tournament 1994 Grand Champion

• World Wide Draka Federation
  • 1998 Draka Tournament Winner

• Shidokan Cup Bare-Knuckle Full Contact Karate
  • 1998 Shidokan Cup U.S. Tournament Winner

• World Wushu Championships
  • 1999 WWC Sanshou Bronze Medalist
  • 1997 WWC Sanshou Bronze Medalist
  • 1995 WWC Sanshou Bronze Medalist

• Black Belt Magazine
  • 2007 Kung Fu Artist of the Year [2]

Mixed martial arts[link]

• Strikeforce
  • Strikeforce Middleweight Championship (One time)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (One time)
• Inside MMA
  • 2008 Fight of the Year Bazzie Award vs. Frank Shamrock on March 29

Submission grappling[link]

• Amateur Athletic Union
  • AAU Espior Sambo National Championship (1989)

Mixed martial arts record[link]

Kickboxing record[link]

Kickboxing record

17 wins (12 KOs), 0 losses Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Win 17-0 Brian Ebersole Decision (Unanimous) Strikeforce 02005-06-04June 4, 2005 5 San Jose, California Win 16-0 Brian Warren Decision (Unanimous) K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas I 02004-04-30April 30, 2004 4 2:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Win 15-0 Phil Petit Decision (Unanimous) K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II 02003-08-15August 15, 2003 4 2:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Win 14-0 Scott Sheely TKO K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas 02003-05-02May 2, 2003 2 1:13 Las Vegas, Nevada Win 13-0 Shonie Carter Decision (Unanimous) Strikeforce 02001-12-15December 15, 2001 5 San Jose, California Won IKF World Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship Win 12-0 Jeff Thornhill KO (Spinning Back Fist) Strikeforce 02000-09-15September 15, 2000 3 San Jose, California Won ISKA North American Light Heavyweight Championship Win 11-0 Mohammed Lamin Keita Decision (Unanimous) K-1 USA Championships 2000 02000-08-05August 5, 2000 5 3:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Defended ISKA U.S. Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship Win 10-0 Mike Altman KO (Double Roundhouse Kick) Strikeforce 02000-05-13May 13, 2000 3 0:30 San Jose, California Defended ISKA Light Cruiserweight Sanshou Championship Win 9-0 Na Shun Gerile TKO (Scissor Kick) Art of War: China vs. USA 01999-01-011999 3 Honolulu, Hawaii Win 8-0 Scott Sheely TKO (Broken Cheek Bone) Strikeforce 01999-05-15May 15, 1999 2 0:59 San Jose, California Won ISKA U.S. Light Heavyweight Sanshou Championship Win 7-0 Dan Garett KO (Body Kick) Strikeforce 01998-10-10October 10, 1998 3 0:20 San Jose, California Won ISKA Light Cruiserweight Sanshou Championship Win 6-0 Arne Soldwedel KO (Right Hook) 1998 Shidokan Cup 01998-08-29August 29, 1998 7 Chicago, Illinois 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup Final Win 5-0 Mohammed Lamin Keita Submission (Foot Lock) 1998 Shidokan Cup 01998-08-29August 29, 1998 5 Chicago, Illinois 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup Semifinal Win 4-0 Ben Harris KO (Spinning Hook Kick) 1998 Shidokan Cup 01998-08-29August 29, 1998 2 Chicago, Illinois 1998 U.S. Shidokan Cup Quarterfinal Win 3-0 Minaru Taro KO (Head Kick) Draka V 01998-05-24May 24, 1998 1 Los Angeles, California 1998 Draka Tournament Final Win 2-0 Gagik Isrelyan Decision (Unanimous) Draka V 01998-05-24May 24, 1998 5 Los Angeles, California 1998 Draka Tournament Semifinal Win 1-0 Jason Yee Decision (Unanimous) 1997 Kung Fu Championships 01997-08-31August 31, 1997 4 2:00 Orlando, Florida Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Film and television credits[link]

See also[link]

• List of current UFC fighters

References[link]

External links[link]

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1997	Sleight of Hand	Victor	Indie Film
2001	Walker, Texas Ranger	Himself	(1993 TV Series) Episode: "Legends"
2004	Kwoon	Mort Ission	Direct-to-Video
2006	Dark Assassin	The Assassin	Indie Film
2007	Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter	Erik	Film
2009	Fighting	Dragon Le	Major Film
2009	Pandorum	Manh	Major Film
2009	Bodyguards and Assassins	Sa Zhen-Shan	Film
2010	Tekken	Marshall Law	Major Film
2010	True Legend	Militia Leader	Film
2010	NCIS: Los Angeles	Spectator	(2009 TV series) Episode: "Hand-to-Hand"
2012	Dragon Eyes	Ryan Hong	Major Film (post-production)
2012	The Grandmasters	TBA	Major Film (post-production)
2012	The Man with the Iron Fists	Bronze Lion	Major Film (post-production)
2012	Dragon Eyes 2	Ryan Hong	Major Film (announced)
2012	I am Bruce Lee	Himself	Documentary
	Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cung Le

• CungLe.com (official website)
• IKF San Shou
• Professional MMA record for Cung Le from Sherdog
• Cung Le at the Internet Movie Database
• Profile at K-1
• ConvictedArtist.com Interview with Cung Le

Rich Franklin
Born	Rich Jay Franklin II (1974-10-05) October 5, 1974 (age 37) Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Other names	Ace
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Division	Light Heavyweight (205 lb) Middleweight (185 lb)
Reach	76 in (193 cm)
Style	Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Cincinnati, Ohio
Team	Team Extreme/The JG MMA and Fitness Academy
Trainer	Matt Hume Jorge Gurgel (Jiu-Jitsu)
Rank	Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jorge Gurgel
Years active	1999–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	35
Wins	28
By knockout	15
By submission	10
By decision	3
Losses	6
By knockout	4
By decision	2
No contests	1
Amateur career
Total	2
Wins	1
By submission	1
Losses	1
By knockout	1
Other information
University	University of Cincinnati
Spouse	Beth
Notable school(s)	William Henry Harrison High
Website	http://www.richfranklin.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: September 16, 2011 (2011-09-16)

Rich Jay Franklin II (born October 5, 1974)^[1] is an American mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion.

Background[link]

Franklin was born to Richard Sr. and Vaila Franklin. The couple divorced when Rich was five years old. He has one biological brother, Greg, and five step-siblings.^[2][3]

Prior to becoming a full time MMA fighter, Franklin graduated from William Henry Harrison High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and later earned a master's degree in education at the University of Cincinnati,^[4] and taught mathematics at the Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.^[5]

Franklin and American Fighter President Jeff Adler created The Keep It In The Ring Foundation to advocate non-violence and build character in youth. This is done through after school sports, martial arts and life skills programs. His nickname "Ace" comes from his resemblance to Jim Carrey, who played the character Ace Ventura. Joe Rogan once called him "An angry Jim Carrey". Franklin made his acting debut in a film called Cyborg Soldier where he plays an escaped super soldier and partners with Tiffani Thiessen.

Franklin is a born-again Christian and quotes Psalm 144:1 on his webpage and fighter gear. February 21, 2006, was officially named "Rich Franklin Day" in Cincinnati by the city's mayor.^[6][7]

Martial arts background[link]

According to Rich, he first learned submission fighting from instructional video tapes. He has been associated with and trained with Meat Truck Inc. and currently trains at facilities run by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jorge Gurgel, (New Generation Martial Arts); Neal Rowe, a Muay Thai instructor (Sacan Martial Arts); and Rob Radford, a boxing instructor (Boxing 4 Fitness). Franklin is currently ranked as a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jorge Gurgel. Since losing his title to Anderson Silva, Franklin has started training under Matt "The Wizard" Hume.

UFC career[link]

Middleweight title[link]

Franklin began his UFC career with a perfect 3-0 start, including a victory over skilled MMA veteran Evan Tanner at UFC 42.

On April 5, 2005, Franklin fought in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale, which was the first live UFC card on free cable TV. He faced former UFC champion Ken Shamrock and won the fight via TKO due to strikes. Franklin was highly impressive in this fight as he was able to knock Shamrock out, something that no one else had done to that point in Shamrock's career. Franklin's win over a mixed martial arts icon like Shamrock propelled him into UFC stardom and established him as one of the organization's biggest stars.^[8] The win over Shamrock also ensured a title opportunity for Franklin.

This title shot came at UFC 53 on June 5, 2005. Franklin defeated Evan Tanner for a second time to win the UFC Middleweight Championship. The victory led to him being a coach (along with welterweight champion Matt Hughes) on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter.

At UFC 56 on November 19, 2005, Franklin defended his title against Nate Quarry, a competitor from season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter. Franklin won the fight via knockout in the first round.

At UFC 58 on March 4, 2006, Franklin defeated David Loiseau in a unanimous five round decision to retain his title. Franklin broke his left hand early on in the second round. The injury required surgery, including a metal plate and screws and Franklin was out of action for six months.

Losing the title[link]

At UFC 64 on October 14, 2006, Franklin lost his title on his return fight after being defeated by Anderson Silva. The fight was stopped at 2:49 of the first round after Franklin received a knee to the face. Franklin, who was considered by many^[who?] to be the favourite coming into the bout, was caught in a clinch by the Brazilian, with Silva delivering a flurry of knees and kicks that rendered the champion unconscious. On October 19, Franklin underwent surgery due to the nasal fracture he received during the fight.

Franklin made his return at UFC 68 against Jason MacDonald. Franklin showed superior striking during the fight, and mounted MacDonald in the closing seconds of the second round, causing significant injury and swelling around MacDonald's left eye. MacDonald's corner advised ending the fight and Franklin was declared the winner by TKO (corner stoppage) between rounds. After the fight Franklin called Anderson Silva to the Octagon and said that he and Dana White had agreed to a fight for the title in Franklin's hometown of Cincinnati.

In a bout that would determine the top contender in the middleweight division, Franklin fought world ranked Yushin Okami at UFC 72 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Franklin defeated the top middleweight contender by unanimous decision to be officially announced as the number one contender for Silva's middleweight championship. The bout was only Franklin's second overall fight that went the full distance (due to being a non-title fight, it was three rounds). All three judges scored the bout 29–28 to Franklin. Franklin also became the first person to main event a UFC card in Northern Ireland.

Franklin fought Silva for a second time at UFC 77 on October 20, 2007. Prior to the bout, he had recently signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC. Much like their first fight, Silva was able to effectively neutralise Franklin in the clinch, eventually defeating the former champion via TKO (knees) at 1:07 in the second round.

After Rich's second loss to Anderson, he began making regular trips to Seattle, WA to train with Matt Hume of AMC Pankration and Joel Jamieson of 8WeeksOut and trained with both of them to prepare for UFC 83, where Franklin faced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Travis Lutter. During the bout Lutter was able to secure a tight high-level armbar, though Franklin was able to escape the hold and go on to win the bout via TKO (strikes) at 3:01 of Round 2. At UFC 88, Franklin made his return to the light heavyweight division against close friend and training partner Matt Hamill. Franklin won by TKO following a kick to the liver which prompted the referee to call a stop to the fight at 0:39 in round 3.

Franklin met with former PRIDE Fighting Championships welterweight and middleweight champion Dan Henderson at UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland. In a closely contested fight, Franklin ultimately lost by controversial split decision. The winner would gain the opportunity to coach Team USA on Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter. Franklin became the first person to main event a UFC show in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

At UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany, Franklin defeated former PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision at a catchweight of 195 lbs. Franklin became the first person in UFC history to fight in four different countries, in four consecutive fights.

In another catchweight contest, Rich lost to former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort at UFC 103. This was Belfort's first bout in the UFC since February, 2005. After a lengthy feeling-out process, Belfort connected with a left hook that dropped Franklin, following up with a flurry of left hands that ended the contest via TKO at 3:02 in the first round.

Move to Light Heavyweight[link]

Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell at UFC 115

Franklin was rumoured to face multiple-time UFC champion Randy Couture at UFC 115. After contrasting reports on who would be his opponent, Franklin eventually was confirmed to face long-time light heavyweight champion and UFC Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Liddell on June 12, 2010, following the withdrawal of Liddell's original opponent, Tito Ortiz. During the contest, Liddell showed improved striking from that seen in his recent fights, showing more proficient kicks. In the final seconds the opening round, Liddell connected with a head kick and moved forward to attack an arguably stunned Franklin, only to be knocked out by a compact counter right hand at 4:55 of round 1. During the post-fight press conference, Franklin confirmed that his left forearm had been broken by a head kick Liddell threw during the middle of the round. Fortunately, however, the forearm would not need surgery, allowing Franklin to recover faster.

Franklin faced former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126.^[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Franklin was scheduled to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133 on August 6, 2011 in Philadelphia.^[10] Nogueira was forced out of the bout due to a shoulder injury.^[11] Unable to find a suitable replacement on short notice, the UFC pulled Franklin from the card as well.^[12]

Franklin was expected to be out for two to three months due to the tearing of his labrum that happened during grappling practice,^[13] However Franklin is now expected to return in the late summer of 2012 after having surgery on his injured shoulder.^[14]

Return to Middleweight[link]

Franklin was expected to return to middleweight with a bout against Cung Le at UFC 148.^[15]

However, due to an injury to headliner Vitor Belfort, Franklin is now scheduled to face Wanderlei Silva in a 190 lb catchweight bout on June 23, 2012 at UFC 147.^[16] Franklin and Silva fought once before at UFC 99, where Franklin won via unanimous decision.

Personal life[link]

Rich has a wife named Beth who is a former English teacher at Reading High School.^[17][18]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Mixed martial arts[link]

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
  • Two successful title defenses
  • Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Chuck Liddell
  • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Wanderlei Silva

Mixed martial arts record[link]

See also[link]

• List of current UFC fighters

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Team American Fighter official Myspace
• 8weeksout.com
• Official UFC Profile

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2012)

"The Man" is a slang phrase that may refer to the government or to some other authority in a position of power. In addition to this derogatory connotation, it may also serve as a term of respect and praise.

The phrase "the Man is keeping me down" is commonly used to describe oppression. The phrase "stick it to the Man" encourages resistance to authority, and essentially means "fight back" or "resist", either openly or via sabotage.^[1]

History[link]

The earliest recorded use^{[citation needed]} of the term "the Man" in the American sense dates back to a letter written by a young Alexander Hamilton in September 1772, when he was 15. In a letter to his father James Hamilton, published in the Royal Dutch-American Gazette, he described the response of the Dutch governor of St. Croix to a hurricane that raked that island on August 31, 1772. "Our General has issued several very salutary and humane regulations and both in his publick and private measures, has shewn himself the Man." ^{[2][dubious – discuss]} In the Southern U.S. states, the phrase came to be applied to any man or any group in a position of authority, or to authority in the abstract. From about the 1950s the phrase was also an underworld code word for police, the warden of a prison or other law enforcement or penal authorities.

It was also used as a term for a drug dealer in the 1950s and 1960s and can be seen in such media as Curtis Mayfield's "No Thing On Me", William Burroughs's novel Naked Lunch, and in the Velvet Underground song "I'm Waiting for the Man", in which Lou Reed sings about going to Uptown Manhattan, specifically Lexington Avenue and 125th Street, to buy heroin.

The use of this term was expanded to counterculture groups and their battles against authority, such as the Yippies, which, according to a May 19, 1969 article in U.S. News and World Report, had the "avowed aim ... to destroy 'The Man', their term for the present system of government". The term eventually found its way into humorous usage, such as in a December 1979 motorcycle ad from the magazine Easyriders which featured the tagline, "California residents: Add 6% sales tax for The Man."

In present day, the phrase has been popularized in commercials and cinema, featuring particularly prominently as a recurring motif in the 2003 film School of Rock.^[3][4][5][6]

Use as praise[link]

The term has also been used as an approbation or form of praise. This may refer to the recipient's status as the leader or authority within a particular context, or it might be assumed to be a shortened form of a phrase like "He is the man (who is in charge)." One example of this usage dates to 1879 when Otto von Bismarck commented, referring to Benjamin Disraeli's pre-eminent position at the Congress of Berlin, "The old Jew, he is the man."^{[7][dubious – discuss]}

In more modern usage, it can be a superlative compliment ("you da man!") indicating that the subject is currently standing out amongst his peers even though they have no special designation or rank, such as a basketball player who is performing better than the other players on the court. It can also be used as a genuine compliment with an implied, slightly exaggerated or sarcastic tone, usually indicating that the person has indeed impressed the speaker but by doing something relatively trivial.

See also[link]

• Absentee landlord
• Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four)
• New World Order (conspiracy theory)
• Ruling class
• The Establishment
• Power elite
• Corrections officer
• YTMND

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Lighter, J.E. (Ed.). (1997). Random House Dictionary of American Slang. New York: Random House.